Sandiaga Is Confident That He Can Fulfill Jokowi's Target So That Labuan Bajo Attracts 1 Million Tourists

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Lukas

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo is targeting Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara to attract at least one million tourists. Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno is confident that he can meet the target.

This was said by Sandiaga in the National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN) Marina, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara. Here is the Warloka Waste Management System.

Sandiaga explained that with the construction and inauguration of supporting infrastructure facilities in Labuan Bajo, it will be able to attract the number of tourists who come to the westernmost city on the island of Flores.

"I accompanied the President to directly review infrastructure and facilities. Starting from the expansion of the airport, where the project is able to accommodate one million tourists, which is expected to increase tourist visits to Labuan Bajo," said Sandiaga in a written statement, Saturday, July 23.

Then Sandiaga also reviewed the readiness of Rinca Island's infrastructure. At that time, the President's entourage was treated to attractions from West Manggarai creative and creative actors at the water front or Marina Labuan Bajo.

"The last thing that is very epic and majestic is the art and cultural music concert with a view of the water front or Marina Labuan Bajo which has just been arranged and served for tourists. And what is interesting is the integrated waste management. Therefore, this existing facility will be an attraction The main thing is Labuan Bajo which can be used to improve the welfare of the people in NTT, especially Labuan Bajo," he said.

However, there is still a lot of homework to be done, including the readiness of the community to maintain the facilities that have been built by the government so that they are clean, free of waste, and the people are friendly to tourists.

"That's the main task that must be completed by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and also train creative economy players so that Labuan Bajo has competitiveness, not only in Labuan Bajo but also in Flores and NTT," he said.

Menparekraf is also increasingly optimistic about the attractions built by the government from the water front to the arrangement of the Rinca Island area, then supported by other tourist attractions such as the Batu Cermin Cave, tourist villages, cultural diversity, and creative economy products.

"We will do promotions so that we place Labuan Bajo as a leading destination. We are quite confident with the target of 1.1 million tourists per year given by the President," he said.

Previously, President Joko Widodo said that the arrangement of Labuan Bajo as a super priority tourism destination (DPSP) was aimed at providing an economic impact for local communities.

"The face of NTT, the face of West Manggarai, the face of Labuan Bajo, I see from morning to night this has changed completely," said the President.

The President assessed that Labuan Bajo has changed since he first came in 2015, where it has now been arranged better and more beautiful. Therefore, the President emphasized that this area must be treated and maintained properly.

“First, friendly to tourists. This is very important, agree? Second, don't litter, because now Labuan Bajo is clean and beautiful. Don't litter, okay? Every month of community service, cleaning, so that this area continues to be well maintained and becomes more beautiful from day to day," he said.

After the arrangement, the Head of State hopes that the community can use the Marina-Labuan Bajo area for various activities.

"This can be used for activities, cultural arts activities, performing arts, which will attract more tourists to come to Labuan Bajo," he said.