VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia has been elected as a member of the Executive Board of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), representing the East Asia and Pacific region, for the 2023-2027 period.

The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, said that the accession to the UNWTO executive board shows that the global community trusts Indonesia to encourage the revival of the tourism sector.

"I am grateful and moved by the trust that has been given to Indonesia," Uno said in a statement released on Tuesday.

He mentioned that Indonesia received 16 votes in the election, surpassing China (15 votes), Japan (14), South Korea (12), and Thailand (11).

Indonesia will represent the East Asia and Pacific region on the executive board, alongside China, Japan, and South Korea, he added.

Uno stated that Indonesia and other members of the East Asia and Pacific region would be responsible for developing UNWTO programs in the region, which will be reported to the organization's General Assembly in October 2023.

The minister emphasized that Indonesia's membership on the UNWTO Executive Board would strengthen its role in national and global tourism development.

Last year, Indonesia hosted the World Tourism Day commemoration in Bali, coinciding with the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting.

With Indonesia's new role at UNWTO, Uno urged all stakeholders and citizens to unite for the progress of the tourism sector.

"The world has bestowed much recognition on us (Indonesia)... We are not just developing our tourism, but also regional and global tourism," he said. (Antaranews)