REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu opened the World Coral Reef Conference in the Indonesian city of Manado on Friday.

As a maritime country which has about 17 islands with a total areas of 3.1 million sq km and is located in the world's coral reef triangle, Indonesia plays an important role in protecting the environment from climate change that may have a direct impact on marine biodiversity particularly coral reefs and their ecosystem, she said in her key note address to the conference.

"Hopefully, Indonesia's active role in the sustainable development of the tourism sector will significantly contribute to mitigating the impact of global climate change as the tourism sector is environmentally friendly as reflected by its low level of carbon emission," she said.

In 2005, the global tourism sector contributed 5 percent of CO2 carbon emissions, she said.

She said the sustainable development of marine tourism may also contribute to coral reef and marine resource conservation by taking advantage of resources without destroying the environment.

"In this regard, we direct our programs towards formulating and endorsing business standards for live on board, dive center and industry or human resources related to the sea-based and marine tourism," she said.

She also encouraged a model of sustainable tourism, such as coral reef planting tourism which involves local people.

"The sustainable development of the tourism sector is also an answer to the need to create job opportunities for the local residents and to conserve the environment," she said.

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