Indonesia initiates sustainable tourism award

APD NEWS

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By APD Writer Marverick

JAKARTA, Sept. 28 (APD) — Indonesia initiated an award program for elements working in national tourism sector which addressing sustainability principles, highly expected to improve their competitiveness in world’s tourism business.

The awards in several categories were delivered on Wednesday night in the closing ceremony of national tourism coordination meeting here.The award deliverance was coincidence with International Tourism Day that falls on Sept. 27.

“The award deliverance was also intended to observe International Tourism Day whose theme ‘Sustainable Tourism, a Tool For Development’ had already been set by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for this year,” Indonesia Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said in his remarks in the event.

Indonesia Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said in his remarks in the event.

Categories contended in the award program, namely 2017 Appreciation for Enchanting Indonesian Destination, comprised of Green Hotel, Homestay and Community-Based Tourism (CBT), Destination Organizer applying sustainable principles, Tourism-minded Groups and best Indonesian restaurant designers.

Winners of the program had undergone several assessment processes adopted by the tourism ministry from Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) international standards, which already accredited by UNWTO, since April this year.

Seventeen award receivers were picked from 24 nominators shortlisted from 96 destinations registered in the award program. They were entitled to receive gold, silver, bronze and green awards. The ministry also picked up an ultimate winner which received a platinum award.

The scenery of Indonesia.

“With sustainable tourism, the tourism sector has a superlative feature in preserving the environment. The more preserved, the more it can prosper the people,” the minister said.

The sustainable tourism award program was also expected to contribute national efforts in improving its Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI), he aded.

According to 2017 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report (TTCI), Indonesia’s ESI rank stood at 131, ascend three flights from it was two years ago.

The minister said winners of the national sustainable tourism award program would be sent to compete in 2018 ASEAN Tourism Awards held during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) slated for January 2018 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)