“If not handled properly and comprehensively, this issue could create negative perceptions of Indonesia’s top destinations,” Deputy for Resources and Institutions at the Ministry, Martini M. Paham, stated in Jakarta on Thursday.
Martini highlighted that travel advisories from the governments of Australia and the United Kingdom have raised concerns about incidents related to hiking accidents, water tourism mishaps, and issues regarding the safety of alcoholic beverages consumed by tourists. She emphasized that these matters should be addressed with input from various stakeholders, so the government can formulate recommendations through a joint decree (SKB) aimed at enhancing tourism safety and security, along with collaborative action plans across ministries and agencies.
“We also hope to establish coordination and collaboration among stakeholders to implement the recommendations we will agree upon. A public campaign promoting safe tourism involving all elements of society is also necessary,” Martini remarked.
Expert Staff to the Minister of Tourism on Crisis Management, Fadjar Hutomo, emphasized that each region in Indonesia has its own unique crisis characteristics and risks, resulting in varied readiness in terms of equipment and human resources.
Fadjar also noted that Article 45 of Law No. 29 of 2014 on Search and Rescue provides a regulatory foundation requiring tourism operators to address safety concerns.
He stressed that these challenges can be overcome by enhancing the capabilities of local human resources, leveraging the potential of search and rescue teams, and building partnerships in disaster management to make the most of the golden rescue time during emergencies.
The Ministry of Tourism asserted that stronger enforcement of regulations is necessary to ensure all tourism operators consistently apply safety and security standards.
Improving the capacity of human resources, particularly those working at tourism sites, is considered essential to building a resilient and risk-responsive tourism ecosystem. This should be supported by the provision and improvement of safety-related infrastructure and facilities.
The ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a public campaign on tourism safety and security and emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration to sustain efforts in enhancing safety at travel destinations.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Arie Novarina
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