VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana Jokowi left Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta for Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara Province on Sunday to observe the latest development of tourism infrastructure facilities there.

The president and his entourage boarded the presidential airplane at 09.00 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), and arrived at the Komodo Airport in Manggarai Barat District, East Nusa Tenggara, at around 11.50 a.m. Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT).

Among the top government officials who join the president's working visit until Tuesday (Jan 21) were Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono, Commander of the Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres) Major General Maruli Simanjuntak.

The President's Military Secretary Major General Suharyanto and the President's Special Staff Adamas Belva Syah Devara also joined this President Jokowi's visit.

During his visit, President Jokowi would observe the construction project of Labuan Bajo Pier's multipurpose terminal, and come to Puncak Waringin, a new tourist destination in Labuan Bajo, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono said.

President Jokowi has also been scheduled to inaugurate a hotel, owned by a state-owned enterprise, he said, adding that the president would observe the infrastructure facilities constructed for boosting the district's tourism industry, he said.

"Labuan Bajo has been selected to be one of five highly prioritized destinations this year," he said.

In July 2019, President Jokowi had also visited the infrastructure facilities in Labuan Bajo, a tourist resort area that CNN International had placed in the world's second best spots for snorkeling in 2015.

At that time, President Jokowi visited Puncak Waringin, a new tourist destination in Labuan Bajo which covers a hilly area of one hectare and will be equipped with a souvenir center, an amphitheater, an open green area, and an observation deck.

Jokowi said the government would accelerate the development of infrastructure including an airport in the region to boost local tourism.

The president wanted the airports in the regions where tourist destinations existed to be managed by those having an international tourism network.

Labuan Bajo needs to be totally revamped with packages presenting attractive local art and cultural events to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

East Nusa Tenggara's tourism and creative economic office itself has identified 1,181 tourist attractions located in 22 districts and municipalities in the province. (ANTARA)