Tourism Ministry to Focus on Marine Tourism Market in Wakatobi
Jakarta. The Ministry of Tourism is set to hold a focus group discussion, or FGD, on targeting the marine tourism market in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi.
"We have organized this discussion to project the market targets for 2017 and 2018 in seven provinces with marine tourism potential, through both quantitative and qualitative measurements in each area," Esthy Reko Astuti, the ministry's deputy for tourism development, said in a statement.
Indonesia's 10 priority destinations include seven marine tourism spots: Wakatobi, Tanjung Kelayang, Kepulauan Seribu, Tanjung Lesung, Mandalika Lombok, Labuan Bajo and Morotai. Whereas the other three destinations, non-marine tourism spots, are Bromo, Borobudur and Lake Toba.
According to Esthy, the discussions should serve as a reference to target the marine tourism market in the years to come and to make accurate strategy recommendations for marketing the 10 priority destinations, or "10 New Balis."
Furthermore, the discussion can also offer insight to the habits and preferences of tourists, so that the tourism industry can accommodate them.
Wakatobi is famous for its underwater beauty, and encompasses four different islands: Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko.
The islands illustrate Indonesia's potential to become a leader in marine tourism.
In 2017, Dive Magazine includes five Indonesian destinations on its Top World Diving Destinations List: Raja Ampat in Papua, Alor and Komodo Islands in East Nusa Tenggara, Lembongan in Bali and Lembeh in North Sulawesi.
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya referred to Indonesia's marine tourism potential as "world-class."
"Indonesia's diving spots are well-known in the world. Many awards have been given to Indonesia. Periodically, many experts have reviewed the spectacular nature of our diving sites. This has positively contributed to our value and trust, which we must preserve," Arief said.
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