Jakarta –
Reflecting on the threat of extreme weather, from the floods that hit Dubai to the Middle East conflict, observers consider tourism mitigation to be important.
Indonesia, with its abundant natural and cultural riches, is one of the favorite tourism destinations for tourists from various countries in the world.
Indonesia’s potential is faced with two big challenges, namely the threat of extreme weather which is increasingly occurring and political tensions in the Middle East, one of which is the protracted conflict in Israel.
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National Tourism Strategy Expert, Taufan Rahmadi, assessed that if Indonesia could overcome these challenges, it could actually have the potential to advance the archipelago’s tourism sector.
“Climate change has increased extreme weather events throughout the world, including in Indonesia. To reduce its impact on tourism, adaptation measures are needed. This includes improving infrastructure that is resilient to extreme weather, such as early warning systems for floods and storms, as well as developing tourism destinations which is environmentally friendly,” said Taufan Rahmadi to detikTravel, Thursday (18/4/2024).
According to Taufan, political and security tensions in the Middle East, including the conflict in Israel, can indeed influence tourists’ interest in visiting the region. Indonesia must be able to take advantage of this opportunity by promoting alternative destinations that are safe and attractive for international tourists.
“One way is by highlighting the natural beauty, cultural richness and friendliness of local people in other destinations, such as Toba, Bali, Lombok, Solo, Yogyakarta, Likupang and Labuan Bajo, Indonesia can attract more visitors,” he said.
Taufan added, to reduce dependence on certain tourism markets affected by the conflict in the Middle East, Indonesia needs to diversify the tourism market.
“This can be done by expanding promotions to new markets, such as Southeast Asia, China and India, as well as increasing cooperation with travel agents and tourism operators in these countries,” said the member of the TKN Expert Council for Parekraf.
 Taufan Rahmadi Photo: (Special doc.) |
Indonesia can also utilize tourism diplomacy to build strong relations with countries in the Middle East.
“This can be done through cooperation in the tourism sector. Indonesia can increase cross-cultural understanding and promote peace and stability in the region,” he said.
To overcome the challenges of extreme weather and political conflict, Taufan believes that sustainability aspects must remain a top priority in developing Indonesia’s tourism sector.
“Through environmentally and socially responsible tourism practices, Indonesia can ensure that the tourism industry not only survives, but also provides long-term benefits for local communities and the environment,” said the former Chair of the Mandalika Priority Destination Acceleration Team.
“By taking appropriate mitigation steps, Indonesia can overcome the challenges of extreme weather and the threat of the impact of conflict in the Middle East, while continuing to advance the tourism sector for inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” he said.
Watch Video “Areas to Avoid During the Threat of Extreme Weather in West Sumatra“
[Gambas:Video 20detik]
(wsw/fem)