Indonesia Serious About Developing Marine Tourism: KKP

Jakarta, (Antara) - The Government of Indonesia is serious about developing marine tourism potential in a sustainable manner for the welfare of people, according to Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministr(KKP) Secretary General Sjarief Widjaja.

"Indonesia is now seriously developing its tourism potential. One of the advantages of Indonesia is maritime tourism," Sjarief remarked at a press conference here Saturday.

The focus on developing marine tourism was the pride and happiness of the KKP because Indonesia is now starting to look to the sea, as sought by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), according to him.

However, there is also concern that if people went out to sea, the huge investment will also go into the sea, he added.

"We hope all conservation areas that have been defined will be supported in order to become tourist destinations," he said.

Therefore, the targeted conservation areas that become tourist destinations should be prioritized towards the welfare of the locals," he added.

In future, the marine affairs and fisheries ministry will work closely with relevant stakeholders on the requirement of conservation areas that will become tourist destinations in various regions across the country, he said.(*)