VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Today, September 27th is celebrated as World Tourism Day. Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization-UNWTO has celebrated World Tourism Day as an international commemoration every September 27, referring to the date of adoption of the UNWTO Statute in 1970. The adoption of this Statute is considered a historical milestone in global tourism.

The theme of this year's World Tourism Day celebration is Tourism and Green Investments. Quoting the official UNWTO website, this year the World Tourism Organization, UNWTO is focusing on investment for People, Planet, Prosperity. Investment for society in the form of education and skills. Meanwhile, for the planet or earth, this is realized by investing in sustainable infrastructure and accelerating green transformation. For prosperity, invest in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.

Tourism is an important sector for Indonesia. Natural beauty, unique culture and artistic heritage, and the friendliness of the people are tourism attractions in Indonesia. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy targets foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector to reach 2.07 – 5.95 billion US dollars in 2023, with a target of 8.5 million foreign tourist visits. The Indonesian government is targeting investment in the tourism sector at 8 billion US dollars, which will create new jobs for 4.4 million people.

The focus of investment in society, the earth and prosperity is also the focus of tourism development and investment in Indonesia. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy encourages villages to develop their resources to become tourist destinations.

This program will not only provide direct benefits to village communities to develop village potential, but also at the same time maintain environmental sustainability and the welfare of local and surrounding communities.

Another focus of the Indonesian Government is the development of five super priority tourist destinations, namely Borobudur, Likupang, Mandalika, Lake Toba and Labuan Bajo. This effort involves various relevant ministries to carry out the development of transportation facilities and infrastructure in five super priority tourist destinations.

The involvement of all parties is the key to the successful development of the tourism industry in Indonesia. With natural wealth, human resources and regulations that make it easier to invest in Indonesia, especially investment in a sustainable tourism industry, of course the targets set by the Indonesian government in the tourism sector can be achieved.

Everyone must move for the progress of tourism. As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said, investing in sustainable tourism means investing in a better future for all.