TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno targeted an increase in tourist village numbers in Indonesia from 4,700 to 6,000 by next year.

According to Sandiaga, the increase in tourist villages parallels the number of employment opportunities in the tourism sector. "Tourist village could birth 4.4 million new employment opportunities in 2024," he said on Friday, September 15, 2023.

To realize the target, Sandiaga added, the ministry is partnering with Indoensia's Village Youth Association (IPDA). Sandiaga believed village youth have the potential to become agents of change.

Sandiaga also mentioned that Java contributed 60% of the total number of these employment opportunities, with Central Java dominating a third of it as the province harbored super-priority tourism destinations such as Borobudur.

"Compared to the other [sectors], the tourism sector could create a bigger pool of employment opportunities. Thus, the youth will be empowered," he said.

On Thursday, September 14, 2023, Minister Sandiaga also visited the Sumberlulu Tourist Village in Pendem Village, Mojogedang, Karanganyar Regency. The village continues to be developed as a tourism destination.

"After winning the Indonesian Tourist Village Award back in 2021, Sumberlulu Tourist Village is one of the pilot projects for business development in the tourism sector," he concluded.

SEPTIA RYANTHIE

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