TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An official from the Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry has encouraged tourists not to limit their travel itinerary to Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, alone, but to explore other destinations in the area.

"There are many tourist destinations that can be explored after visiting Labuan Bajo," a young expert policy analyst at the ministry's Directorate of Archipelago Tourism Marketing, Anggara Kusuma Pradoko, said in Jakarta on Saturday.

He pointed out that a number of tourist attractions can be explored after Labuan Bajo, such as Bung Karno's Exile House in Ende, Kelimutu Lake, Wologai village, Bena Traditional Village, spider web-shaped rice fields, and Wae Rebo Traditional Village.

These tourist destinations tend to be quiet compared to Labuan Bajo, which has been designated as one of the nation's five Super-Priority Tourism Destinations (DPSP). The ministry is collaborating with stakeholders to improve the marketing of tourist destinations around Labuan Bajo.

"Not only local governments, tourism actors, but also influencers, mass media, which aim to attract tourist interest. Apart from that, tour packages are also being prepared to help tourists visit a number of tourist attractions other than Labuan Bajo," he added.

He expressed the hope that in the future, increasing tourist visits will help improve the economy of the local community — not only in the super-priority tourist area of Labuan Bajo, but also in Flores Island.

The government is also encouraging existing tourist villages to prepare homestays for tourists who wish to interact with local communities.

ANTARA

Editor's Choice: Expect Familiarization Trip to Boost Tourism, Labuan Bajo Authority Says

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News