TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry encouraged West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) to prioritize the application of cleanliness, health, safety and environmental sustainability (CHSE) protocols at tourist destination sites amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ministry's Deputy of Tourism Product and Event Organizers, Rizki Handayani, stated here during a webinar on earth revitalization on Saturday that in the wake of the current pandemic condition, the central and local governments should designate highest importance to beauty and cleanliness.

Hence, Handayani noted that the ministry will continue its campaign environmental cleanliness and preservation through the Earth Revitalization Program.

Lombok Island in NTB, one of the super-priority tourism destinations, and Bali were selected as among the locations under the program.

"We have invited people in Bali and Lombok to participate, as these two tourism destinations must be clean to attract tourists despite the pandemic," she noted, adding that handwashing basins were provided there.

Handayani echoed the government’s commitment to boost tourist visits to NTB that will host the MotoGP race in Mandalika in 2021.

Furthermore, the government will continue the halal tourism program in the province that also applies health protocols.

"NTB will become a national priority along with Bali," she remarked.

The ministry's policy analyst, Noviendi Makalam, affirmed that the government had given due priority to endeavors to boost domestic tourist visits, as the COVID-19 pandemic remains a top global concern.

"Do not be afraid because our main concern is the safety of domestic tourists. When we apply stringent health protocols, tourists will feel safe," he affirmed.

According to the head of Tourism Office of NTB, H. L. Faozal, the province has applied CHSE standardization in four zones: the Gili island triplets of Gili Meno, Gili Air, and Gili Trawangan and Senggigi in North and West Lombok, Mount Rinjani and its surrounding areas in East Lombok, and the Special Economic Zone of Mandalika in Central Lombok, and Mataram City.

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ANTARA