VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government will actively participate in the 2022 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Cambodia on January 17-20, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno stated.

"I will be present virtually on account of the Omicron situation in Indonesia in line with President Joko Widodo's directive," the minister remarked during a weekly press briefing here on Monday.

The 2022 ATF highlights the issue of "ASEAN – A Community of Peace and Shared Future" that encourages collaboration among all Southeast Asian countries and holistically promotes ASEAN as a destination that has diverse cultures, cuisines, and communities.

The 2022 ATF is aimed at connecting key stakeholders in the travel industry, as the forum will be attended by more than one hundred sellers and one hundred buyers from 25 different countries, 50 national and international media, as well as the ministers of tourism from each country.

Indonesia will participate in ATF's Travel Exchange (Travex), which functions as a platform for ASEAN tourism entities looking to market their products and services to foreign buyers. Hence, Indonesia's participation in Travex can promote the country's tourism sector.

Furthermore, Indonesian sellers can directly interact with buyers, who provide vacation packages to consumers.

"In 2022, Wonderful Indonesia will focus on the five Super-Priority Tourism Destinations of Mandalika in Lombok, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Likupang in North Sulawesi, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, and Borobudur in Central Java," Uno pointed out.

Moreover, Wonderful Indonesia will present 15 Indonesian tourism companies at 2022 ATF as well as set up a pavilion spanning 108 square meters in width, with 12 stands showcasing Mandalika as its main theme.

The presence of Wonderful Indonesia at the 2022 ATF is expected to provide updates about Indonesia, such as information about re-opening of the country's gates, the five super-priority destinations, tourism sector recovery plan, and the topic of Indonesia holding several international events this year.

This event is deemed crucial, as Indonesia will be handed over the task to host the 2023 ATF in Yogyakarta.

"We hope that the 2023 ATF will create a momentum for national and regional recovery," Uno added. (Antaranews)