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Don't worry about Labuan Bajo's super premium status, says Wishnutama
Wishnutama is hopeful that the creative economy, which could produce more attractive souvenirs for visitors, would help turn Labuan Bajo into a "super premium" tourist destination.
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Tourists enjoy the sands of Pink Beach in Komodo National Park in Labuan Bajo in West Manggarai, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on May 10, 2017. (The Jakarta Post/Markus Makur)
F
ollowing plans to make Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara a "super premium" tourist destination, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio said on Tuesday that he was optimistic the move would helped increase tourist visits to the region.
"Don't worry about it. The government has developed an airport with a longer runway and [will build] many hotels in Labuan Bajo [in support of] super premium tourism. This means that more tourists will come and [we] can sell [the destination] more," said Wishnutama during an event in Jakarta on Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com.
Regarding local residents' concerns that the plans could hinder attempts to lure visitors, Wishnutama said that the ministry had anticipated the possibility by continuing to develop tourist villages to accommodate middle-income visitors in cooperation with relevant ministries.
"We will continue developing [facilities] for middle-income tourists, with a focus on homestays. Therefore, tourists will be able to stay in the houses of locals, which definitely will affect the local economy," he added.
Wishnutama said he is hopeful that the creative economy, such as that of making more attractive souvenirs for visitors, would help realize the plans. "[We should design] souvenirs and stuff that will interest millennials." (gis/kes)
