VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The United Nations - UN General Assembly on Monday (26/02/2024) adopted a resolution to declare 2027 the International Sustainable and Resilient Tourism Year. As reported by Antara news agency, the resolution invites the World Tourism Organization - UNWTO to facilitate the organization and implementation of the international year in collaboration with governments, relevant organizations in the UN system, international and regional organizations, as well as other relevant stakeholders.

Sustainable tourism is not something new. Previously, UNWTO had declared 2017 as the International Year for Sustainable Tourism Development. Campaigns about sustainable tourism have also been echoed frequently.

As a country rich in tourist attractions, Indonesia through its Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is committed to developing sustainable tourism. On various occasions, the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, conveyed Indonesia's sustainable tourism program.

Sustainable tourism is the development of tourism concepts that could have a long-term impact. The development is both in environmental, social, cultural, and economic aspects, for the present and future of all local communities and visiting tourists.

Many tourist destinations in Indonesia already carry the concept of sustainable tourism. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy develops sustainable tourism by referring to four focus pillars. These are sustainable management, long-term sustainable economic, cultural sustainability which must always be developed and maintained, and sustainable environmental aspects.

Indonesia has also succeeded in developing tourist villages that implement sustainable tourism. National parks can be developed based on sustainable tourism, such as Baluran National Park in East Java, Ujung Kulon National Park in West Java, and others in various regions. Indonesia also has natural beauty, culture, arts, and traditions which can be a tourist attraction.

The hope is that Indonesia will be successful with its sustainable tourism program, not only to pursue the target of 2027 as the "Year of Sustainable Tourism", but for the sustainability of Indonesian tourism in general. This can be achieved with the involvement of all parties. The government, with its regulations and major blueprints, can make it easier to develop sustainable tourism. Tourism business players can continue to develop their programs to increase the selling value of Indonesian tourism. Locals, particularly in tourist destinations, can also be involved in tourism development. Therefore, sustainable tourism will ultimately bring sustainability to the economy and prosperity to the Indonesian people.