Sandiaga Uno Expects Bali to Become Tourism Center of Excellence

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno stated that Bali is expected to become a center of excellence in tourism for other regions, including the development of quality and sustainable tourism villages prioritizing community empowerment.

The plan to develop Bali as a center of excellence in tourism is inseparable from the attractiveness of its tourism and creative economy.

"Bali is already famous with its Penglipuran Village, which has world-class quality. We expect with this development, other tourism villages from Bali will follow," the minister noted at a seminar and working group themed "Building World-Class Green and Sustainable Tourism Village for Bali's Recovery and Transformation through Social Innovation" on Friday.

Bali, apart from being an hub of tourism villages, must also become a center of excellence in tourism village management, Uno stated.

Bali should be able to develop further, not only as a destination but also as a center of excellence in tourism development.

Bali has been known for its application of the Tri Hita Karana concept, which is a strong philosophy of life, with a concept that can preserve cultural and environmental diversity amid globalization and homogenization.

The concept emphasizes the relationship between human beings, the relationship with nature, and the relationship with God, which are interrelated.

"The concept of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) and environmental sustainability must be maintained and developed, especially in Bali with Tri Hita Karana wherein this concept is closely related to socio-economic development," he remarked.

The minister explained that uncertainties in the tourism sector due to the pandemic had encouraged the tourism sector and the creative economy to shift the development paradigm towards sustainability in all aspects.

The four main pillars developed by the ministry in realizing sustainability are sustainable management, long-term sustainable economy, sustainable culture, and environmental sustainability.

Uno assessed that tourism villages have great power in realizing the four pillars. Tourism villages have been proven to be one of the pillars that support the community's economy.

Amid the pandemic, the rate of visits to tourism villages increased by 300 percent.

Uno said his ministry continues to push the development of tourism villages where members of the community are encouraged to become the main players in tourism activities, with programs that involve the younger generation and embrace schemes of support from ministries and institutions or also non-governmental organizations.

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy also provides mentoring programs with local village champions, who help mobilize and build natural and cultural resources and all members of tourism village communities.

ANTARA

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