PRESS RELEASE

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA TEAM OF THE 10TH WORLD WATER FORUM   

NO.67/SP/TKM-WORLDWATERFORUM2024/05/2024

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Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Focuses on Achieving Quality and Sustainable Tourism

In an effort to promote high-quality and sustainable tourism, particularly in Bali, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) has gathered stakeholders to take immediate action on the challenges faced by the sector.

"In preparation for the World Water Forum and to ensure that tourism in Bali continues to improve in terms of quality and sustainability, we have organized a focus group discussion (FGD) to find solutions to current issues as well as future steps, leveraging Bali's position as a leading destination and preserving its cultural and spiritual essence," said Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno at a Focused Group Discussion (FGD) of Stakeholders of Bali Tourism at the Bali Tourism Institute on Thursday (16 May).

One of the issues discussed was the alleged involvement of some foreign nationals in erotic rituals. The incident went viral on social media and had the potential to tarnish the image of tourism in Bali.

Sandiaga emphasized that the police have conducted investigations and called upon all stakeholders, including the public, to be responsive and vigilant in addressing issues that could harm the tourism industry in Bali and Indonesia as a whole.

"We agree that our tourism ecosystem must be strengthened. Moving forward, together with the industry, we will enhance supervision, involving local communities, tourism villages, and residents in order to better monitor the situation. That's what we expect," Sandiaga stated.

Another issue discussed in the FGD was immigration violations and criminal activities. It was revealed that several matters have also been addressed by the authorities, namely two Ukrainian citizens and one Russian citizen who were arrested for operating clandestine hydroponic cannabis and mephedrone laboratories in a villa in the Canggu area, Badung, Bali. These three foreign nationals were found to be residing with limited stay permits (KITAS) as investors.

"We expect firm action against these violations because we cannot compromise on the quality of tourism. There are several macro and micro steps that can be taken to send a clear message to the world that we will not tolerate criminal activities in our world-class tourist destinations," stressed Minister Sandiaga.

He expressed his hope that Bali and Indonesia, in general, will be regarded as a reference for high-quality and sustainable tourism worldwide.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy's Communication Bureau has prepared a crisis communication guide to prevent, respond to, and recover from tourism-related crises through effective communication.

Effective crisis communication management, as an integrated, comprehensive, and sustainable approach, can help prevent or minimize the negative impact of tourism crises and guide decision-making when facing such situations.

Effective communication governance is crucial for maintaining the reputation and image of the tourism industry.

"As of today, tourist arrivals are increasing, but we must make sure that we do not neglect the aspects of quality and sustainability," said Sandiaga.

Among the attendees of the discussion were the Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun; Chairman of the Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI Bali), Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati; Chairman of the Bali chapter Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI)i, Ida Bagus Agung Parta Adnyana; Head of Ngurah Rai Airport Special Class I Immigration Office, Suhendra; Director of Traffic and Security of the Bali Regional Police, Police Grand Commissioner Harri S Noegroho; and Head of the Denpasar Immigration Office, Tedy Riyandi.

Accompanying Minister Sandiaga were the Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Chief Secretary of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani; Deputy for Strategic Policy of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Dessy Ruhati; Head of the Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, I Gusti Ayu Dewi Hendriyani; and the Director of the Bali Tourism Institute, Ida Bagus Putu Puja.

Also attending online were Fadjar Hutomo, the Minister's Expert Staff on Crisis Management and Yohanes De Brito Titus Haridjati, Director of Communication and Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency. (Biro Komunikasi Kemenparekraf/TR/Elvira Inda Sari/SW/PR)

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For further information, please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong  (0816785320).

PCO of World Water Forum ke-10 - Dede Ariwibowo (08111830020)

Get more information at https://infopublik.id/kategori/world-water-forum and https://s.id/worldwaterforumpedia