Tourism Minister Cancels Dialogue with Labuan Bajo Stakeholders

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana cancelled a planned dialogue with the local government and tourism stakeholders in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, on Monday morning. Widiyanti had arrived in Labuan Bajo on Sunday. The dialogue was scheduled to take place at Puncak Waringin Labuan Bajo starting at 09.30 Wita. During the dialogue, Widiyanti had planned to address six strategic tourism issues in Labuan Bajo. Technical preparations at the venue had been completed. Several employees from the Tourism Office, Civil Service Police Unit, and the West Manggarai Protocol and Communications Office were seen on the first floor of the venue. Meanwhile, a number of employees from the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF) were seen in the second-floor room where the dialogue was to be held. They were later observed folding back woven sarongs and collecting tables after it was confirmed the dialogue was cancelled. Head of the West Manggarai Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture Office, Peter A. Rasyid, confirmed the dialogue with Widiyanti was cancelled. However, he did not yet know the reason for the cancellation. Information gathered indicated that Widiyanti cancelled the dialogue to attend an online meeting via Zoom with the Minister of State Secretariat. A BPOLBF employee met at the venue also confirmed the cancellation. A small business operator at Puncak Waringin expressed disappointment with the cancellation of Widiyanti’s visit, noting that local businesses had already prepared to welcome the minister.