The people of NTT enthusiastically welcomed the implementation of the ASEAN Summit. The holding of the ASEAN Summit or ASEAN Summit 2023 in Labuan Bajo on 9-11 May 2023 is the best momentum to promote various tourist areas in the region.
After the success of the Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency event, now Indonesia is again entrusted with playing a very important role and returning to the international arena as well, namely this nation has officially served as the chairmanship of ASEAN 2023 or ASEAN Chairmanship 2023.
ASEAN (Association of South East Asia Nations s ) is an economic and political union of a number of countries in Southeast Asia which was established on August 8, 1967 in Thailand. Indonesia is an active member of ASEAN, apart from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore and Timor Leste.
The Labuan Bajo area in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara is hosting an international standard event .
Central and regional governments continue to intensify various venue preparations to make the ASEAN Summit successful and take place in the Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition (MICE) area.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has also prepared a HelpDesk and a Tourism Information Center (TIC) or tourist information center at 10 points in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) during the 42nd ASEAN Summit.
Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani stated that there were 20 officers divided at 10 points wearing traditional clothes to show the richness of regional culture.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is also preparing a People’s Market or Street Carnival which involves 40 local MSMEs. The activity which took place from 7 to 13 May 2023 involved 3,000 people so that there was an economic cycle there.
The carnival that was presented was held at several different points, such as at Waesambi Field and Batu Cermin Cave. The existence of this event shows that Indonesia does not only have Bali but there are still many quality destinations outside Bali, one of which is Labuan Bajo.
Previously, during a preparatory visit, President Jokowi stated that he wanted to ensure preparations for the ASEAN Summit. Some venues also look ready everything. Labuan Bajo is ready to hold the 2023 ASEAN Summit.
The people of NTT were very happy and enthusiastic because this was the first time the ASEAN Summit had been held in their area. This is a great honor because the government gives trust. The community welcomed the 2023 ASEAN Summit and expressed their attitude, being friendly to every guest delegation who came.
The infrastructure that was built to support this event, namely the construction of a round about Beach Club , dock shelters, landscaping and installation of geomats on road corridors, helipads, and construction of a parking lot with a capacity of 100 cars.
West Manggarai Regent Edistasius Endi explained that West Manggarai Regency to become the venue for international scale activities is the dream of every Regional Government (Pemda).
He wants the people of West Manggarai NTT to feel the impact of the ASEAN Summit to take their respective roles, so that the ASEAN Summit event will have an economic impact on the local community Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and farmers are also asked to present good quality products. Endi also asked the public to maintain cleanliness and maintain security stability, as well as order in the 2023 ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo.
The West Manggarai Regent greatly appreciates President Jokowi’s decision to designate Labuan Bajo as the 42nd ASEAN Summit Venue. The existence of this international event has an impact on the economic growth of West Manggarai. In addition, it also has an impact on sustainable development to tourism. Because Labuan Bajo is increasingly recognized by ASEAN leaders. If the delegation guests come to NTT and are fascinated by its beauty, they are definitely planning to have a vacation later in the middle of the year or at the end of the year.
Indonesia is indeed ready to welcome the 2023 ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. As the host of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, Indonesia carries the big theme ” ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi stated that the theme of ASEAN 2023 consisted of two major elements, namely ASEAN Matters and the Epicentrum of Growth . The first element is ASEAN Matters , namely how Indonesia with its chairmanship continues to make ASEAN relevant and important not only for the Indonesian people, but also for the people of ASEAN, even for people outside ASEAN.
Whereas in the second element, namely the Epicentrum of Growth , namely ASEAN as a center of growth shows that economic growth in the ASEAN region always grows higher than other countries outside ASEAN.
Indonesia is capable of facilitating various breakthroughs as solutions in overcoming world challenges that are also faced by the Southeast Asian Region. The trust and support of various parties to Indonesia’s chairmanship is inseparable from Indonesia’s diplomatic strategy and strong leadership in ASEAN.
The ASEAN Summit is very beneficial for the people of NTT, and the region is increasingly recognized by Southeast Asians and around the world. The tourism industry in NTT is also certain to increase again. This excellent opportunity is due to the 2023 ASEAN Summit so that international journalists are present to cover and then they are amazed by the natural beauty of Labuan Bajo. If Labuan Bajo’s nature and tourism are highlighted by international media, then the place will become more popular, and it is expected that foreign tourist visits will also increase. []
( Reenee Winda A. / Senior Media Contributor and Political Economy Observer )
