ASITA NTT urges government to ensure destination safety after earthquake
The Regional Leadership Council of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) hopes the government will ensure the safety of tourist destinations before issuing an official statement that can serve as a basis for businesses to resume promoting tourist visits following the Flores earthquake.
Chairman of ASITA NTT Oyan Kristian said certainty regarding destination safety is needed so that tourists receive valid and verified information from the relevant authorities before travelling to NTT.
“What is most needed at the moment is the government’s seriousness in repairing infrastructure facilities at tourist destinations. Road infrastructure that may have cracked or broken due to the earthquake, buildings that may serve as offices or places for tourists to sit or enter, and indeed the entire range of tourist attractions must also be confirmed safe for tourists to visit,” Oyan said when contacted by ANTARA on Tuesday (25/8).
According to him, the statement must contain valid and verified information so as to provide certainty to tourists regarding the condition of the destinations.
“We are creating a good campaign about safe tourist destinations. That must be accompanied by a statement letter from the relevant authorities, the Ministry of Tourism, the regional government, and other stakeholders as well,” he said.
The report also noted that seven tourist attractions suffered minor damage and two others were severely damaged. Meanwhile, seven tourist attractions have been reopened to tourists.
Oyan said this situation demonstrates the importance of assessing tourism facilities and destinations before the government declares an area safe to visit.
He believes the government’s official statement can later be used by travel agents and the media to convey information to tourists about destinations that have resumed operations.
Oyan said the positive campaign needs to be carried out jointly by the government, travel businesses, the media, and other tourism stakeholders.
However, he stressed that the campaign must be supported by certainty regarding the condition of the destinations so that the information conveyed to tourists has a clear basis.
The Flores Bajawa Tourism Authority (BPO-LBF) also noted that six airports in Flores have been reopened and are operating normally. This information serves as one indicator of the recovery of tourism accessibility in the Flores region following the earthquake.