By : Arsenio Bagas Pamungkas )*
It seems that it has been predicted that the Summit will be held in Indonesia to increase the number of tourists. This prediction is not without basis, because the activities attended by leaders of Southeast Asian countries will be held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), which is Indonesia’s super priority tourist destination.
The 2023 ASEAN Summit in Indonesia is expected to be able to increase tourist visits to Indonesia. The Minister of Tourism, Sandiaga Uno, predicted that it would trigger visits of as many as 1.1 million foreign tourists to Indonesia’s super priority destinations.
This target is in line with infrastructure development including Jalan Bajo-Golo Mori which was recently inaugurated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Easier access, of course, makes tourists more comfortable when traveling.
Sandiaga Uno as Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) remembers that new destinations are needed to support the target of visiting tourist attractions. Especially since the quota limit of 200,000 visitors per year in Komodo National Park was enforced.
Indonesia is intensively increasing tourism promotion in Labuan Bajo by taking advantage of the ASEAN Summit momentum. The promotion is planned to be carried out through the Southeast Asia tourism exhibition in Malaysia this weekend.
In order to make the summit successful, PT Hotel Indonesia Natour (HIN), which is a subsidiary of PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero), has ensured that it will increase supervision of the Meruorah Labuan Bajo Hotel in the context of the 2023 ASEAN Summit in this super priority tourism area.
President Director of PT HIN Christine Hutabarat said, her party continues to improve supervision and coordinate with various Meruorah Labuan Bajo Hotel stakeholders to accelerate operational improvements and other hotel support facilities.
As a member of InJourney, PT HIN is optimistic about the support of the ecosystem and the good collaboration of all parties. He is that the repairs to the Meruorah Labuan Bajo Hotel can run smoothly and according to the set deadline. Thus the existence of the hotel can have a positive economic impact on the Labuan Bajo tourism industry as one of the super priority tourism destinations.
During a working visit to Labuan Bajo, Indonesian President Joko Widodo reviewed the readiness of the Meruorah Labuan Bajo Hotel as one of the venues for the 42nd ASEAN Summit in May 2023. The president’s arrival accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo reviewed the progress of operational improvements and supporting facilities at the hotel and gave a positive response to the progress achieved.
President Jokowi has reviewed a number of places that will be used for the 42nd ASEAN Summit in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. According to him, several venues are ready to be used for the ASEAN Summit in May 2023.
Jokowi said that holding the ASEAN Summit in NTT was at the same time promoting Labuan Bajo as a super priority destination in Indonesia. According to him, tourism in Labuan Bajo and the surrounding area is very interesting to visit.
Hotel Meruorah Bajo itself is a state-owned hotel operated by PT Hotel Indonesia Group which will serve as accommodation for delegates attending this international event.
Meanwhile PT Jasa Raharja is also participating in preparing Indonesia to host the 2023 ASEAN Summit. The event is planned to take place in Labuan Bajo, NTT, in May 2023.
One form of support provided is by providing infrastructure assistance to road security officers in the area.
Dewi Aryani Suzana as Operations Director of Jasa Raharja said that the assistance provided included 200 traffic cones, 100 helmets, 100 vests and 100 flashlights to support officers in carrying out security in the field, which was handed over to the NTT Regional Police Chief Inspector General Pol Johanis Asadoma.
Dewi said, this is a form of Jasa Raharja’s support for the security and safety of the mobility of the 2023 ASEAN Summit participants.
Dewi said that Jasa Raharja as a BUMN that is responsible for providing basic protection to the community certainly hopes that the implementation of this grand agenda will be successful, and of course also strives to realize safe activities.
The choice of Indonesia as the host for the ASEAN-wide summit conference in May will of course have the potential to increase tourist visits to the region.
Related to this, Jasa Raharja also takes part in providing security and comfort for tourists who use the Pinisi boat tour services.
Dewi added, all pinisi boats in Labuan Bajo have been protected by Jasa Raharja, so that all tourists will feel safe while enjoying the tour.
As the host, of course Indonesia must prepare everything totally and maximally, support from various parties is also needed, so that the event does not only run smoothly but also has a positive impact on many sectors, including the tourism sector.
)* The author is a contributor to Persada Institute
