goodmorningpapua.com – A head of the West Papua Branch of the Indonesian Economist Association (ISEI), Rully N Wurarah, said that the formulation of sustainable ecotourism development in West Papua must be accelerated.
“The principle of tourism development now is not only on the economic side. But through ecotourism, integrated with nature, social and cultural conservation,” he said when he was a speaker at a seminar entitled “Building Sustainable West Papua Ecotourism Investment”, at Studio XXI Manokwari City Mall, Manokwari, West Papua, Thursday (29/9/2022) night.
To create a tourism climate and a sustainable creative economy in West Papua, four pillars must be built, namely, destinations, industry, institutions and marketing.
“There are three tourism marketing strategies, starting from online, print and space media publications. Offline activities such as travel fairs and exhibitions. Online activities, such as marketing in collaboration with online travel agents,” said the man who also serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Economics. and Business at the University of Papua.
A roadmap for strengthening the digital economy system, starting with policies or regulations by stakeholders.
Then the development of digital economic resources, while being encouraged by startups and their products. And supported by adequate infrastructure and access to technology.
He further said that the strategy for developing tourism and event products could be through strengthening special tourism promotions, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) and events.
All these steps are carried out in the management of tourism destinations that prioritize attractions, amenities, access, marketing and pricing.
“In destination management, there is a tourist experience as a component. That’s why we have to pay attention to that from their arrival in West Papua until their return. Such as transportation, accommodation, attractions, availability of clean water, internet access and security,” he said.
The main goal of destination management, he continued, is to stimulate sustainable consumption and production by tourism actors.
“Sustainable tourism means that in the future we want our children and grandchildren to still enjoy it, not limited to the present,” he said.