The ASEAN Summit In Labuan Bajo Can Increase Indonesian Tourism

JAKARTA - The ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) can increase tourist visits to Indonesia. The choice of Labuan Bajo is an opportunity to improve the community's economy, especially for local residents after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The people of NTT are ready to welcome this opportunity to promote and market Labuan Bajo tourism as well as various natural beauty and handicrafts on the island of Flores - NTT to be known by countries in Southeast Asia," said Member of Commission X DPR, Andreas Hugo Pareira, Wednesday, May 10.

The legislator from the NTT I electoral district added that the large number of ASEAN Summit participants who come to Labuan Bajo will have an impact on Indonesia's economic turnover. In addition, said Andreas, the publication of the ASEAN Summit will also further introduce the beauty of Indonesian tourism in the world arena.

"International media publications in organizing the ASEAN Summit are indirectly a promotional event for Indonesia, especially Labuan Bajo-Flores. We can use it to further introduce Indonesian tourism and culture at the international level," he said.

Indonesia serves as Chair of ASEAN 2023 whose peak event will be held in Labuan Bajo on May 9-11, 2023. The 42nd ASEAN Summit will be attended by heads of state/government, parliamentary leaders, and ministries involved from 11 countries in Southeast Asia.

In its chairmanship in ASEAN, Indonesia has the theme ASEAN Epicentrum of Growth which means ASEAN is relevant and important as a center of growth.

Andreas said Labuan Bajo, which is a Super Priority Tourism Area, has extraordinary and strategic potential that can have a significant economic impact on the region and the center. Including, the creative economy through local MSME actors.

"Even not only Labuan Bajo, not only the ancient Komodo biawak or NTT ikat weaving which is already global, but Flores-NTT as a whole has the potential to be explored by foreign tourists with the known Labuan Bajo at this ASEAN Summit," said Andreas.

Therefore, Commission X of the DPR in charge of tourism affairs and the creative economy asked the Government to further improve the development of supporting infrastructure and help prepare local human resources for the development of Indonesia's super priority destinations. Because, said Andreas, this could be an attraction for the implementation of international activities so that Indonesia was chosen as the venue for organizing events.

"We can also take advantage of the culture of word of mouth promotion. Delegations can share their experiences about the potential for tourism in Indonesia to their brothers, friends or colleagues in their place of origin," he said.

"So this effort is very influential in bringing in foreign tourists. Moreover, the delegates who come are government leaders or heads who influence the policies of the country, including the matter of cooperation in the tourism sector," Andreas added.

The increase in visitors to tourist destinations is also said to have an effect on economic turnover, both at the regional and central levels. Andreas said that international activities also open up job opportunities for the community and business development, especially for MSME players in the tourism and handicraft sectors.

"So people themselves must also play a role and participate if there is a big international event that takes place in their area. MSME actors must be able to take advantage of this moment," he said.