TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has managed to win three awards in the 12th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Awards, held in Madrid, Spain, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Indonesia was awarded with two 1st runner ups in two categories and the main prize in another category. This year’s UNWTO Awards was special as Indonesia won the awards for the first time since the event was initiated in 2013.
Domestic airline Garuda Indonesia was awarded with 1st runner up in the category of “Innovation in Enterprises” with its program called “Bali Beach Clean Up”. Karang Lestari Foundation was also awarded with 1st runner up in the category of “Innovation in Non-Governmental Organizations” with a program called “Coral Reef Reborn”.
Banyuwangi, a city in East Java, became “The Winner of Re-Inventing Government in Tourism” in UNWTO Awards category for Innovation in Public Policy Governance. As reported by Indonesia Travel, Banyuwangi presented the strategy of a sustainable tourism development by utilizing information and communication technology (ICT).
The 12 UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism gave recognitions in four categories, namely the UNWTO Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance, the UNWTO Award for Innovation in Enterprises, the UNWTO Award for Innovation in Non-Governmental Organizations, and the UNWTO Award for Innovation in Research and Technology.
The UNWTO is a part of the United Nations consisting of 157 countries, 6 association members, and 480 affiliation members from the tourism sector, educational institutions and tourism authorities. The UNWTO serves a function to promote tourism in a bid to boost economic growth, inclusive development and environmental preservation.
BAGUS PRASETIYO
