Bali, 23rd September 2022 –
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, expects that the 2nd Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting can result in strategic policies for a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economic recovery.
During his opening remarks in the 2nd TWG at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Bali, Friday (23/9/2022), Minister Sandiaga appreciated the G20 countries that previously (in the 1st TWG) had shared best practices of each country in tackling global economic challenges, especially in the tourism and creative economy sector.
"I am very glad to hear that the G20 countries have succeeded in reaching common ground on most of the problems or issues in the Tourism Working Group, including highlighting the role of tourism to promote peace and development," according to Minister Sandiaga.
Tourism and creative economy are the economic drivers and job creators, not only in Indonesia but throughout the world. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism was one of the most critical sectors in the world economy. It contributed 10 percent of global GDP and absorbed more than 320 million jobs worldwide.
Thus, this potential must be optimized by presenting various strategic policies, especially in strengthening MSMEs and encouraging community-based tourism that focuses on the creation of decent jobs in tourism and has significant leverage in realizing a more inclusive and resilient economy.
"Without reducing our respect for the delegates to complete the last mile of the TWG meeting at the G20 Summit and reach an agreement on several remaining problems or issues, so as to finalize the Bali Guidelines," he added.
Minister Sandiaga expects that the delegates can enjoy Bali's natural and cultural beauty. Moreover, according to TripAdvisor, there is almost no other island in the world that is more alluring than Bali.
"I hope, apart from being a delegate at the G20 meeting, you can also take the time to be a tourists in Bali, and enjoy all the wonders Bali has to offer," he continued.
Chair of the G20 Tourism Working Group, Frans Teguh, expressed his gratitude to the G20 countries for playing an active role in providing valuable views and input on the communique starting from the first TWG.
The Tourism Working Group has agreed that most of the communique texts are substantive. These include efforts to promote a more inclusive and resilient tourism recovery, the important role of tourism as a means of global peace and economic development, as well as the synergy between the tourism and creative economy. "We will continue to refine this communique," Frans said.
According to Frans, Indonesia has tried optimally to encourage consensus to finalize the G20 Bali Guidelines which will be the outcome of the G20 TWG.
In the G20 Bali Guidelines there are five lines of action including human capital related to work, skills, entrepreneurship, and education, how tourism HR are able to see market needs and wants, create new employments, and be able to bring added value from their products and services.
Second, innovation, digitalization, and the creative economy. Focus on how the community is able to be more innovative, creative, and adaptive in entering the digital economy ecosystem order, so that creative economy actors can reach a wider market.
Third, women and youth empowerment. Because, in the tourism sector, they are among the most affected by the pandemic, so that they require proper support.
Fourth, climate action, biodiversity conservations, and circular economy, in which, the use of energy, land, water, and food resources in the tourism sector can reduce carbon emissions.
And lastly, the policy framework, governance, and investment, with a focus on making policies and steps more holistic to support the four pillars of the lines of action.
"We believe that these guidelines are strategic and incorporate the efforts of all member countries. And ensure that we do not just recover after the pandemic and return to business as usual. However, through the five lines of action, we can help ensure that tourism also becomes more inclusive, resilient, and community-based, especially in communities and MSMEs," he added.
