REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SABANG -- Vice President M Jusuf Kalla has reminded inhabitants of Weh Island in Aceh Province that friendliness and good services remain key to lure tourists.
"Sabang has a large population and numerous regions to welcome visitors more openly," Kalla said in his inauguration remarks of Sail Sabang, here, on Saturday.
He lauded the implementation of Sail Sabang that focuses on the development of tourist destinations.
Indonesia is blessed with scenic maritime areas, and the government and the Tourism Ministry should promote them, he stated.
"The ministry should spread good information. People must visit the places out of curiosity and not only to enjoy the beaches," he remarked.
Sail Sabang should serve as a proof of the government's commitment towards tourism development, in addition to trade, he added.
China, India, and South Korea, with large populations and a growing economy, are potential markets for Indonesia's tourism, he noted.
Among those present at the inauguration of Sail Sabang were Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti.
Sail Sabang, which will be held from Nov 28 to Dec 5, 2017, is followed by 13 Indonesian warships, a research ship "Baruna Jaya" owned by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, 20 thousand visitors, three thousand foreign tourists, and local residents.
The event is enlivened by art carnivals, maritime exhibitions, free diving competitions, casual bike events, social service blog contests, science and technology jamboree and seminars, mass dances, parachuting, and a parade of warships.
KRI Dewa Ruci and KRI Bima Suci will also be present during the peak event of Sail Banda.
Yahya has urged the Sabang city government to provide optimal services to tourists visiting the region.
"The service should be improved, so that the tourists visiting Sabang will have the best possible experience," the tourism minister remarked.
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