PUPR Ministry affirms commitment to developing tourism

The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) has affirmed its commitment to the implementation of the Indonesia Tourism Development Project (ITDP).

“The total loan from the World Bank for tourism development in the country reached US$300 million,” the PUPR Ministry’s Regional Infrastructure Development Agency (BPIW) Head Rachman Arief Dienaputra said in a written statement received here on Tuesday.

The funds from the World Bank will be entirely allocated for four measures: increasing institutional capacity to facilitate the development of integrated and sustainable tourism; improving road quality, access, and basic services in selected tourism areas; local participation in the economy; and enhancing the conducive environment for private investment and business in tourism, he informed.

A budget of US$22 million has been allocated for the first measure, US$239.6 million for the second, US$37.1 million for the third, and US$1.3 million for the fourth measure, Dienaputra said.

He said he hopes the ITDP loan can be realized in accordance with the purpose of developing tourism areas, so that realization in the field follows the plan that has been set.

Meanwhile, head of the Ministry’s Region II Infrastructure Development Center, Kuswardono, said that BPIW has been carrying out ITDP activities optimally.

“But BPIW will continue to work on advancements so that this program is in line with everyone’s expectations,” Kuswardono added.

The ITDP aims to sharpen quality, access, basic services, and infrastructure related to tourism, he said.

“ITDP also seeks to strengthen the connection between the local economy and tourism, as well as encourage private investment in priority tourist destinations,” he added.

He said he hopes that all endeavors under ITDP can benefit tourism area development in Indonesia, especially in super priority destinations, such as Lake Toba, Borobudur-Yogyakarta-Prambanan, Lombok, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru, Labuan Bajo, and Wakatobi.

Source: Antara News