The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is seeking to strike a balance between quality tourism and sustainable tourism in the country.
“We must have standards and quality guidelines by trying to adopt the tourism development index (TTDI),” the ministry’s deputy for strategic policies, Dessy Ruhati, said virtually at a press conference ahead of the 1st International Quality Tourism Conference (IQTC) here on Wednesday.
The Indonesian government has set the target for international tourist arrivals at 17 million for 2024, and so far, the number of arrivals has reached 11 million.
The target is higher than the number of foreign tourist arrivals recorded in 2023, which stood at 11.86 million.
The increase in international tourist arrivals could potentially push up energy and food and beverage consumption, which could result in waste accumulation.
She informed that several measures have been taken to build quality tourism while still applying sustainability principles, including enhancing tourists’ experience with technology support, tourism packages, sustainable infrastructure, and human resources.
The efforts taken to support sustainable infrastructure have included providing environmentally friendly transportation and improving public facilities, including waste management, she said.
“We have many regulations regarding waste and marine debris management. They only need to be implemented and enforced with the derivative regulations in regions,” Ruhati expounded.
Furthermore, quality and sustainable tourism is also supported by inclusive access, including for people with disabilities.
Tourism promotion is also being carried out by encouraging the Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability (CHSE) certification program.
In addition, improving people’s literacy and education regarding the importance of conservation as well as realizing security are also important parts of quality and sustainable tourism.
“Cooperation from various sectors, the public, and private parties is needed for sustainable tourism and improving competitiveness,” she highlighted.
The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy as well as other relevant institutions will hold the 1st IQTC in Sanur, Denpasar, Bali, on Thursday (August 29, 2024).
One of the agendas of the conference is supporting quality tourism standards.
