REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WAKATOBI - Local government of Wakatobi, a tourism area in Southeast Sukawesi, held some training programs to boost local people's capability in tourism sector. The training is part of their preparation to welcome ASEAN Economic Community 2015.
"We have two favourite tourism attractions, ocean tourism and fishing tourism. Local communities must play important roles both nationally and internationally. They need some training in tourism sector," Regent of Wakatobi, Hugua, said on Friday.
About 80-90 percent of workers at Wakatobi tourism area are local people. However, lacking of skilled human resources combined with poor infrastructures including road and electricity become great challenges.
Head of Tourism Department in Wakatobi, Tawakal said that local government had sent 40 students per year to follow some training programs cooperated with Indonesian Hotel Association.