JAKARTA - The efforts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, to promote tourism in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), at the 42nd ASEAN Summit should be appreciated. Puan is considered to have played good parliamentary diplomacy, especially in terms of tourism.
Tourism World practitioner, Taufan Rahmadi predicts tourism will move forward quickly if there is a strong commitment from the leadership or policy makers, so Puan's steps to do a number of things during the ASEAN Summit are in her efforts to help promote Labuan Bajo.
"The way Puan invited the ASEAN Summit delegation to be released is also a form of slick parliamentary diplomacy, especially in the tourism sector," said Taufan, Friday, May 12.
One of Puan's efforts to expose Labuan Bajo tourism was to invite a delegation of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) members to tour the Labuan Bajo area on the Phinisi Ship. AIPA, which is a parliamentary forum for Southeast Asian countries, also participated in the 42nd ASEAN Summit.
Acting as hosting because she was the Chair of AIPA in 2023, Puan brought the parliamentary leadership of ASEAN countries to sail on a traditional Indonesian ship on Tuesday (9/5). The leaders of the Southeast Asian parliament sailed to enjoy Labuan Bajo's dusk charm around the row of islands in the area of one of Indonesia's tourism mainstays.
Some of the Southeast Asian parliamentary leaders, such as the Chairman of the Malayasia People's Council Dato Johari bin Abdul, the Chairman of the Vietnam DPR Nguyen Duc Hai, the Speaker of the Laos Sounthone Xayachack DPR, the First Deputy Chairperson of the Thailand High Council Singsuk Singpai and Singaporean parliament representative Desmond Choo.
The AIPA delegates were spoiled with beautiful views of the island in Labuan Bajo such as Bidadari Island, Kalong Island, Taka Island Makassar, Manta Point Island, Kanawa Island, Padar Island, Rinca Island and Komodo Island. They also saw the moment of the bats flying in dusk as the ship approached Kalong Island.
Puan also hosted the delegation of ASEAN parliamentary leaders by having dinner on the ship's ship's deck which was sailing. The AIPA delegation was also satisfied because not only was the charm of Labuan Bajo, but also felt the sensation of a dinner in the middle of the sea with beautiful views.
More than that, Puan also introduced local culture to the AIPA delegation. Even in every agenda at the ASEAN Summit, Puan continues to promote Indonesian wastra through the clothes she is wearing.
Puan Maharani's steps introducing Labuan Bajo with various attractions and products will certainly have an impact on the MSMEs there, "explained Taufan.
The author of the 'Public Destinations' Book, Guidelines for Restoration of Tourist Destinations in the New Normal Era, also praised Puan who visited the Golo Mori Meeting, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) areas in West Manggarai, NTT.
According to Taufan, Puan's choice to review the development of the MICE Golo Mori development which has been designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit shows a leader who is committed to the progress of regional tourism.
"I see that Maharani has shown her support in the tourism sector. In various working visits, she has come to review tourist destinations. And if there is a problem, she also encourages the Government to provide solutions," he said.
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MICE Golo Mori itself became the venue side event of the ASEAN 2023 Summit. This location was also used as a meeting place for the ASEAN Youth Standing Committee (YTC), where young people from the Southeast Asia region could also enjoy the charm of Indonesian beauty.
During her visit to the Golo Mori SEZ, Puan asked ITDC (Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation) as the developer to increase infrastructure to support the integrated sustainable tourism area. Puan also asked that local MSMEs be involved in managing the Golo Mari SEZ.
"The figure of Puan Maharani as the legislative leader must be heard by the developer because the DPR is an extension of the people's hands," explained Taufan.
At the ASEAN Summit, Puan also promoted local special food dishes to the AIPA delegation. According to Taufan, Puan's efforts became a promotional event to introduce local culinary to foreign tourists.
Some tourists will usually look for local food when doing tourism. With the promotion of an important figure, of course, the delegation of the ASEAN Summit will not hesitate to return to Labuan Bajo or try other tourist destinations in Indonesia," said the tourism observer from the Indonesia Tourism Strategic.
Taufan, who also serves as the Tourism Special Economic Zone Development Monitoring and Evaluation Team (SEZ), assessed that the good collaboration between the Government and the DPR has succeeded in showing the beautiful face of Indonesia.
Because in a series of activities during the 42nd ASEAN Summit, delegates were presented with the experience of traveling in Labuan Bajo. ASEAN state leaders are known to participate in sunset viewing activities and enjoy cultural arts performances.
Not only that, but the Government also held a People's Festival and exhibition of various local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) products, as well as beach clean-up action. Even the Government succeeded in making the Head of State, who is the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, wear a West Manggarai songket weaving shirt with the motive of Manuk Eye ( chicken eye).
"The slick collaboration between the Government and the DPR has proven to have fascinated the leaders of Southeast Asian countries. Many of the ASEAN heads of state then continued to be released after the main event of the ASEAN Summit was over," said Taufan.
Many delegates from the ASEAN Summit took the time to visit other tourist attractions in Labuan Bajo. Some went to Batu Cermin Cave, Rangko Cave to visit Komodo National Park.
"The success of this ASEAN Summit is thanks to the cooperation of all parties. I am sure this success will have a positive impact on the popularity of Indonesian tourist destinations," said Taufan.
A number of important Southeast Asian figures claim to be lulled by the charm of Indonesian tourism after attending the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo. Many ASEAN leaders praised Indonesia's success as the host of this year's ASEAN Summit.
As stated by the son of the Sultan of Brunnei Darusalam, Prince Abdul Mateen. He was impressed when he sailed in Labuan Bajo using the Phinisi Ship and believed that the area would be visited by many people.
"I know Bali is very famous, but Labuan Bajo is not as famous as Bali. I think this ASEAN summit will attract more people to come," said Abdul Mateen.
The same thing was expressed by the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. He expressed his admiration for the Labuan Bajo area and stated that the tourist destination was one of the best in Southeast Asia.
"Indah, the view is beautiful, so we are worried because when the time comes for us to host ASEAN, we have to do better than this. Indonesia sets a very high standard, we have to compete," explained Marcos.
Meanwhile, Singapore's Prime Minister (PM), Lee Hsiang Loong expressed his admiration and admitted that he would return to visit NTT in the future. The statement was made while enjoying the true sun on the Phinis Ship.
"Oh it feels so good, so far it's so quiet, very smooth. We're looking forward to seeing the sunset. I'm so happy we can see the sun, I'm quite spectacular," said Lee Hsiang Loong.
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