PIDATO FULL MENPAREKRAF SANDIAGA UNO DI SIDANG UMUM PBB

Summary

In this speech, the speaker addresses the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry, particularly in developing and island economies. They call for a transformative shift towards a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors, the speaker highlights the need for innovation, local community involvement, and balancing environmental, cultural, and economic factors. Indonesia’s leadership, through initiatives under its G20 presidency, is showcased, along with its upcoming global events aimed at fostering sustainable tourism recovery. The speech advocates for a collective, global effort to 'build back better' and ensure a future-proof tourism industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on global tourism, causing a 73% drop in international tourist arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels.
• 😀 Developing countries, especially small island nations, were severely affected by the pandemic's impact on tourism, with millions depending on the industry for their livelihoods.
• 😀 The pandemic highlighted the urgent need for transforming the tourism sector to reduce its vulnerability to future shocks and pandemics.
• 😀 There has been a significant recovery in global tourism post-pandemic, but it is critical to not return to 'business as usual' and to focus on sustainable and resilient tourism development.
• 😀 Sustainable tourism development must go beyond environmental well-being and also elevate the dignity of local communities, cultures, and traditional knowledge.
• 😀 A multi-stakeholder approach is necessary for sustainable tourism, involving both the public and private sectors along with local communities, to create measurable goals and ensure long-term accountability.
• 😀 Engaging younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, is vital in promoting sustainable tourism, both as tourists and as investors in the sector.
• 😀 Tourism should be structured to create positive impacts, such as funding the protection of nature, empowering marginalized communities, and ensuring that the benefits of sustainable tourism trickle down to local and indigenous populations.
• 😀 Strengthening the role of communities as change agents in tourism transformation is essential, with a focus on local governance and integrating traditional wisdom into tourism practices.
• 😀 The tourism village program in Indonesia has successfully enhanced livelihoods by integrating local accommodations and attractions under village governance, even generating significant revenue during the pandemic.
• 😀 Indonesia's efforts include fostering global collaboration on key issues such as skills development, innovation, climate action, biodiversity conservation, and circular economy practices to transform tourism sustainably.
• 😀 To ensure a resilient tourism sector, it's important to harmonize health protocols for safe travel during future pandemics, a key priority for Indonesia's G20 presidency.
• 😀 Indonesia will host two major global events focused on tourism and creative economy in 2022: World Tourism Day and the World Conference on Creative Economy, both set in Bali.

Q & A

What was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry?

The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the tourism industry, with around 1 billion fewer international tourist arrivals, a 73% drop from the 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Many developing and small island nations, which rely heavily on tourism, faced severe economic consequences.

Why is it urgent to transform the tourism industry post-pandemic?

It is urgent to transform the tourism industry to reduce its vulnerability to future shocks, including pandemics, and to ensure that tourism becomes more sustainable and resilient in the long term.

What does developing a sustainable tourism sector involve?

Developing a sustainable tourism sector involves focusing not only on environmental well-being but also on elevating local cultures, communities, and traditional knowledge. It aims to create a balance between mass tourism and quality tourism.

How important is the collaboration between public and private sectors in developing sustainable tourism?

The collaboration between the public and private sectors is critical for the success of sustainable tourism. Both sectors need to work together to set measurable goals, share information, and ensure accountability in the development of the tourism sector.

What role do millennials and Gen Z play in sustainability within tourism?

Millennials and Gen Z are not only important as tourists but also as investors. Engaging with these generations on sustainability issues is crucial to shaping a future where tourism aligns with sustainable practices.

How can tourism create positive impacts on local communities and the environment?

Tourism can create positive impacts by structuring travel experiences that fund the protection of nature, support marginalized and indigenous communities, and contribute to local economies, such as eco-tourism initiatives.

What is the significance of eco-tourism innovations in building sustainable tourism?

Innovations in eco-tourism, such as replacing plastic straws with eco-friendly alternatives, play a key role in reducing environmental damage and promoting sustainable tourism practices that benefit both the environment and local communities.

How does the village tourism program support local communities?

The village tourism program supports local communities by integrating local accommodations, attractions, and businesses under village governance. This model helps generate significant revenue for local communities, as demonstrated by the success of Bali's Panglipuran tourism village.

What initiatives has Indonesia taken to promote sustainable tourism and community involvement?

Indonesia has worked with the UNWTO to design comprehensive guidelines that focus on strengthening communities and small businesses as agents of tourism transformation. The country has also introduced eco-friendly measures like electric mobility in Bali.

What are the key priorities of Indonesia’s G20 presidency regarding tourism?

One of the key priorities of Indonesia's G20 presidency is to strengthen the global health architecture and harmonize health protocols for cross-border travel to ensure safe movement of people during future pandemics, alongside efforts to build a resilient tourism sector.