Jakarta ( WNAM MONITORING): Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Enik Ermawati emphasized the importance of keeping tourist destinations clean to ensure quality tourism in Indonesia.
While participating in the sea litter cleanup action at the Kedonganan Beach in Jimbaran, Bali, on Sunday, Ermawati explained that this activity supported the Ministry of Tourism’s quick-win program for the clean tourism movement.
The program aims to promote a clean ecosystem and raise public awareness about the importance of cleanliness at tourist sites.
“One of the main reasons people choose a destination is the cleanliness of the environment and supporting facilities like restrooms. Therefore, cleanliness is crucial for competitiveness and attractiveness,” she stated.
Ermawati who is familiarly called Ni Luh Puspa, pointed out that the quick-win program on tourism destination cleanliness covers the five super-priority tourism destinations (DPSP) as well as Jakarta, the Riau Islands, and Bali.
This initiative also seeks to improve Indonesia’s position on the World Economic Forum’s Tourism Development Performance Index (TTDI).
Despite Indonesia moving up from 32nd to 22nd place in 2024, the country still received a low score in the health and hygiene category, she pointed out.
“We need to keep enhancing the quality of our tourist attractions. We need to pay attention on two issues, namely quality tourism and sustainable tourism,” she said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq praised the collaboration among various ministries and government agencies for the sea litter cleanup activity.
“This demonstrates our commitment to addressing the marine litter issue,” Nurofiq remarked.
Other than Deputy Minister Ernawati, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, representatives from the Bali Provincial Government, local communities, and other ministries and agencies, were also present in the activity.
