Villages given tourism awards

JAKARTA: Ten villages in eight provinces have been awarded citations for their success in promoting tourism.

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Marzuki Usman, presented the awards on Monday to representatives from the villages of Tembi in Yogyakarta, Mukhai Mudik in Jambi, Tana Toa South Sulawesi, Panglipuran and Jati Luwih in Bali, Rawamatoluo and Rurukan in North Sulawesi, Loksodo in South Kalimantan, Napalicin in South Sumatra and Tulus Besar in East Java.

The minister lauded the villages in his address, saying that well-planned and well-managed tourism activities would help improve village economies which would thus enhance people's welfare, while at the same time preserve local traditions.