SURABAYA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said the community-based Tourism Village of Blekok Situbondo Village and community empowerment became new jobs.
"Although almost two million jobs have been lost due to the pandemic, with the formation of a tourist village like in Kampung Blekok, there are new and quality ones," he said during a visit to the Tourism Village of Blekok Village, Klatakan Village, Kendit District, Situbondo, quoted by Antara, Friday, 17 September.
The tourism sector in general, he said, is still concerned about the impact of the pandemic.
However, there is a glimmer of hope for the revival of community-based tourism villages and community empowerment along with the decline in COVID-19 cases.
According to him, due to the pandemic for almost two years, the foreign exchange that has been released is around 80 percent, but he is optimistic that he will be able to return foreign exchange in the coming year.
"We will try to return it. One example is in Situbondo Regency. So far it is not a leading tourism, but don't forget, because in the Dutch era there was a beach tourist spot that must be visited, namely White Sands," said Sandi.
In addition, the Minister continued, there are also new tourist destinations, namely Merak-Baluran which is a National Park area and has extraordinary attractions, as well as beaches plus the beauty of the underwater world which is very exotic.
"With the opening of infrastructure to Merak-Baluran, we believe this foreign exchange will return, because it is supported by new, quality and sustainable destinations," said the former Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta.
The Blekok Village Tourism Village was nominated for the top 50 of the 2021 Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) which was held by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.
ADWI is in the context of revitalizing the tourism sector which has fallen due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This Blekok Village is extraordinary, entering the top 50 out of 75,000 tourist villages in Indonesia. Hopefully, it can qualify for the top 10," he said.
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