AIPA Session Becomes A Free Promotion For Indonesian Tourism Through DPR Diplomacy

Deputy Chairman Of The BKSAP DPR RI, Putu Supadma Rudana

JAKARTA - The House of Representatives' Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) has made the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) a free promotional event for Indonesian tourism. Given that many delegates from various countries were present at the parliamentary session in Southeast Asia.

"Indeed, diplomacy through parliament is very different, very strong because it relates to people from other countries who can benefit us if it is inserted for tourism promotion," said Deputy Chairman of the BKSAP DPR RI, Putu Supadma Rudana, Saturday, August 12.

The AIPA General Assembly is one of the peaks of the chairmanship of the DPR RI at AIPA. The DPR RI is hosting the presidency of the DPR RI as Chair of AIPA in 2023, which is in line with the chairmanship of Indonesia in ASEAN in 2023.

The event, which was held on August 5-11, was attended by around 600 delegates consisting of ASEAN parliament members of AIPA, parliament representatives of observer countries and international organizations.

Therefore, Putu considered that it was very appropriate for the DPR RI as the host to slip the promotion of domestic tourism. In particular, priority tourism destinations in Indonesia.

On the substance side, the AIPA Session has produced 30 resolutions from various issues that ASEAN countries must adopt for the welfare of the Southeast Asian people. But on the other hand, said Putu, Indonesia benefited because it could promote tourism that could be visited by delegates.

"Soft's diplomacy is the promotion of tourism destinations, cultural promotions and also promotions from our natural wealth which are indeed beautiful," he said.

"The momentum of this activity is very good for us to use to promote our tourism destinations, our cultural arts. This is a free promotion. The trial events continue and promotions also run, especially those who attend members of parliament," added Putu.

With the position of member of parliament, the AIPA delegation could have a role to play in increasing the number of foreign tourists to Indonesia. Apart from being able to encourage the country's policies in tourism cooperation, they can also promote Indonesian tourism to their respective constituents.

"We say that apart from having Bali, we have Labuan Bajo, we have Komodo Island, we have Raja Ampat, we even have Toba, we have Yogyakarta. Listnya goes on and of course they want to be present," Putu explained.

"The delegation is more than 500 and they can voice to them that they have constituents or voters in their area (about Indonesian tourism)," added the legislator from the Bali electoral district.

In the series of the 44th AIPA General Sessions, committee sessions were also held, such as the Committee for Economic Affairs, the Committee for Social Affairs, the Committee for Political Affairs. As well as a session for the Women of ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (WAIPA) and Young Parliamentary Assembly (YPA) chaired by members of the Indonesian House of Representatives as hosting the event. The sessions were also attended by a number of members of the Indonesian House of Representatives from various commissions and electoral districts (Dapil) as representatives from Indonesia.

On that occasion, every member of the DPR will insert the promotion of Indonesian tourism to every delegation who talks with them. Moreover, many members of the DPR RI come from electoral districts that have tourism potential.

"Because it will definitely explain where it came from, for example there are members of the DPR from Maluku they will convey their superior tours. Likewise from other electoral districts, and he will definitely not (involve), for example with culinary delights from his area," said Putu.

On the last day of the 44th AIPA Session series, the Indonesian House of Representatives invited delegates to visit Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), which is still one city with a trial event. The goal is that although not all delegates had time to travel after the AIPA Session, Putu said, they could recognize Indonesia's many cultural wealth.

"We say that if he has more time, he might go to Bandung or Yogyakarta which is relatively close to Jakarta. But in Jakarta alone, apart from TMII, maybe he can go to Kota Tua," he said.

"In fact, we also say that Jakarta is so heterogeneous and there are many destinations that can be visited, including we have a chinatowm in Glodok," added Putu.

The DPR also involved the Liaison Officer (LO) or a delegation liaison to participate in tourism promotions to AIPA participants they accompanied. Putu said that the delegation could visit tourist destinations in Jakara on the sidelines of the trial.

"We have briefing this LO from the BKSAP so that it can provide good input," he said.

Not only that, but the DPR also took advantage of the role of embassy staff for countries that were present at the 44th AIPA General Assembly. Given that AIPA lawmakers attended the official state event, the embassies of each country played a role in accompanying delegates.

The embassy of these countries was asked to participate in promoting tourism and Indonesia's advantages. This includes the DPR promoting tourism through bilateral meetings with a number of delegations of AIPA member countries and delegates from observer countries who attended.

"We have many bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the trial, we have inserted tourism promotions, cultural promotions and we encourage engagement people to people. That the most important thing is that an event like this is formal, but what lasts longer is more people to people contact," explained Putu.

On the other hand, the member of Commission VI of the DPR RI highlighted how tourist attractions today must prioritize the concept of green destinations or environmentally friendly tourist destinations. Putu said this was important because the environmentally friendly approach had become a sensitive issue among the international community.

"That's what I always emphasize to tourist destinations. It is an easy promotion to the international audience if the destination is green, if the destination carries the theme of sustainability, many countries are promoting it," he said.