The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry called for the implementation of the values of sustainability and inclusivity in the tourism sector at the 2024 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF).
“We must position Indonesia as a quality tourism destination that is recognized globally, with key values such as sustainability and inclusivity,” the deputy for resources and institutions at the ministry, Martini Paham, said in a press statement released by the ministry here on Wednesday.
According to her, Indonesia believes that sustainability and inclusivity align with the objectives of the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ASTP), which views ASEAN as a quality tourism destination that contributes to the socioeconomic welfare of the ASEAN community.
Regarding the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2025 and Beyond, Indonesia shared inputs on blue, green, and circular economy values that would positively contribute to tourism and creative economy development in ASEAN and globally.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN National Tourism Organization’s (NTO’s) Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on Tuesday (January 23, 2024) also talked about the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
The two regional cooperations align with ASEAN cooperation goals.
During the meeting, Indonesia presented two agendas, namely the Indonesia Tourism Investment Forum 2024 and the UNWTO Regional Conference on the Empowerment of Women in Tourism in Asia and the Pacific, which the archipelagic nation will host this year.
On a different occasion, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said that Indonesia’s participation in ATF 2024 could strengthen collaboration among ASEAN member countries and partners.
“Indonesia’s participation in ATF 2024 is an effort to strengthen collaboration with ASEAN members and partner countries to encourage growth and create new and quality jobs in the tourism sector,” Uno said.
Themed “Quality and Responsible Tourism – Sustaining ASEAN Future,” ATF 2024 saw participation from ministerial and NTO officials as well as representatives from ASEAN Plus Three, ASEAN-India, and ASEAN-Russia.
(source: ANTARA)
