The series of World Tourism Day (WTD) celebrations continued with a field trip program for all participants ranging from UNWTO country representatives, G20 Tourism Ministers, a number of international organizations, and national and international tourism stakeholders to Penglipuran Tourism Village in Bangli, Bali.
Penglipuran Tourism Village is one of the leading tourism villages in Bali and even the country that has been categorized as an independent tourism village. With its natural beauty, culture, and warm community life, this tourist village has received many awards. One of them is the third cleanest tourist village in the world according to the Green Destinations Foundation, after Mawlynnong Village in India and Giethoorn in the Netherlands.
Participants including UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili were amazed by the existence of Penglipuran Tourism Village.
“UNWTO Secretary General Mr. Zurab was very impressed with the beauty of Penglipuran Tourism Village and had asked why it was not included in the UNWTO Best Tourism Village event. With the encouragement of the Secretary General, we will follow up in the next event,” said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno at Penglipuran Tourism Village, Wednesday (28/9/2022).
Sandiaga appreciated the presence of the UNWTO Secretary General and other guests including the Tourism Minister of the G20 countries to see firsthand the beauty of this tourist village located in Bangli Regency. Their presence will encourage the community to continue to rise towards quality and sustainable tourism.
Especially in the implementation of the Tourism Ministerial Meeting (TMM) which took place some time ago, all delegates have reached consensus on the “G20 Bali Guidelines” which is an agreement that will guide G20 member countries to international organizations in encouraging a more inclusive and sustainable global tourism recovery. Among them are strengthening communities and MSMEs as agents of tourism transformation.
Menparekraf Sandiaga believes that the tourist village is the right program that accommodates all these pillars.
“Of course there are numbers that we want to achieve, but people’s welfare and good quality jobs are the main goals in quality and sustainable tourism,” Sandiaga said.
Sandiaga then expressed his pride and gratitude to UNWTO for choosing Indonesia as the host of World Tourism Day for the first time.
On that occasion, Sandiaga and UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili signed a plaque honoring Indonesia as the host of the 2022 World Tourism Day celebration.
“On behalf of Indonesia and the Penglipuran community, let us express our gratitude for the trust in Indonesia as the host of World Tourism Day,” Sandiaga said.
UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili expressed his appreciation for the success as well as the hospitality of the Indonesian people in welcoming all delegates in the World Tourism Day celebration. He admitted that he was very impressed with the beauty of the Penglipuran Tourism Village. Starting from cultural arts, as well as community life.
“Now I feel the real Indonesia. I want to congratulate all the people who live in this beautiful place,” Zurab said.
He truly felt a different atmosphere due to the beauty of the culture and nature as well as the very interesting people.
“This is one of the best places I’ve ever seen, even though I’ve only been here for 20-30 minutes but I feel a different atmosphere,” Zurab said.
UNWTO, said Zurab, made tourism villages a flagship program by providing support in the development of local communities. And Indonesia has a great opportunity because it has the potential of tourist villages spread in various regions.
“We will be back here soon to provide assistance. We will not only bring professionals to provide training, but also those who can learn something from here,” said Zurab Pololiskashvili.
In addition to Penglipuran Tourism Village, the delegates also had the opportunity to enjoy lunch in Kintamani and enjoy the sunset in Uluwatu.
Also attending the event were Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Principal Secretary of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani; as well as Plt. Deputy for Resources and Institutions of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Baparekraf, Frans Teguh.