In a move that is emblematic of the country’s dedication to sustainable tourism practices, Indonesia has launched its first three sustainable tourism observatories in concord with the United Nations.
Located in West Nusa Tenggara, West Java and Central Java, each of these facilities will monitor tourism in their local areas and ensure that sustainable practices are being adhered to.
Furthermore, Indonesia has joined the UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) and will also pilot sustainable tourism projects in 20 regions in total, including 10 priority destinations.
“The more we preserve, the more prosperous we become,†said Arief Yahya, Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism. “These observatories will contribute to Indonesia’s sustainable practices in other fields.â€
UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai welcomed the move. “Institutional support is essential to ensure the sustainable development of the tourism sector and Indonesia is exemplary in coordinating all stakeholders to make these observatories a reality,†he stated.
The UNWTO’s network of sustainable tourism observatories now stretches to 14 locations: eight in China, three in Indonesia, one in Greece, one in Mexico and one in Brazil.
