TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio said that the ministry would support tourism development in Banyuwangi, East Java, including the World Surf League or WSL.

The surf competition was slated to take place in Tabuhan Island in 2021 or depending on COVID-19 pandemic development. Hundreds of surfers from various countries would reportedly join the most prestigious surfing championship.

“We will totally support the WSL in Banyuwangi. We will provide all the needed infrastructures. This is a huge chance for Indonesia’s and the regional tourism,” said Wishnutama in a coordinating meeting in Banyuwangi, East Java, Wednesday, July 29.

The meeting was led by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and attended by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Bahlil Lahadalia, SOE Ministry Secretary Susyanto, and several CEO/chief directors of SOE and private parties, namely Garuda Indonesia, Perhutani, Traveloka, and Dana.

Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas expressed his gratitude for the support for the eastern region of the Java island.

"Since the visit of President Jokowi and East Java Governor Khofifah to Banyuwangi at the end of last June, alhamdulillah (Praise to God), the economy keeps improving, yet we are still mitigating COVID-19 at the same time,” he said.

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