The Super Priority Destination Program Continues In The Middle Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Wishnutama Kusubandio (Photo: Instagram @wishnutama)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Wishnutama Kusubandio said the Super Priority Destinations (DSP) program will continue amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia despite delays in physical development.

"We have postponed the physical development. There are several obstacles. Planning is still going on," Wishnutama said in a virtual press conference broadcast on the Cabinet Secretariat YouTube account, Thursday, April 16.

He gave an example, one of the tourist attractions that became a Super Priority Destination (DSP), namely Lake Toba. According to him, this tourist destination in June 2020 should have finished the work and be ready to run the program.

It's just that, in a condition where the spread of COVID-19 is not known how long it will occur, the existing steps are actually hampered. So, this will be used to re-design these tourist destinations so that they are in accordance with standards.

"I give an example of a traditional market. Actually, a good tourist attraction is clean, the toilets are good. Safety and comfort are clean," said Wishnutama.

Meanwhile, the connectivity of tourist attractions, such as airport and road transportation facilities, will continue to be built. These talks, said the former businessman, will be held after COVID-19 is no longer spreading.

"We will continue to communicate with the Ministry of PUPR and the Ministry of Transportation after COVID-19," he said.

Previously, the Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) planned the development of five super priority tourist destinations in 2020 with a budget of IDR 11 trillion.

The five tourist attractions are the Lake Toba tourist area in North Sumatra; Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java; Mandalika tourist area in West Nusa Tenggara; Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara; and Likupang area, North Sulawesi.