Ni Luh Puspa: Garbage Threatens Tourism Reputation, Need a Joint Action

FAJAR.CO.ID, MAKASSAR – Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Wamenparekraf) Ni Luh Puspa stressed that the problem of waste and environmental preservation is the main challenge of the tourism sector in Indonesia today, especially when the number of visits to a number of destinations continues to decline.

“At present, garbage is the biggest challenge. Maybe we are not aware of the presence of waste, but this is a serious problem and we can miss from other countries,” Ni Luh Puspa said when giving a public lecture at the Makassar Tourism Polytechnic (Poltekpar), Thursday (5/15).

According to him, Indonesia has thousands of beautiful destinations that have the potential for worldwide. However, the presence of garbage that is not managed actually tarnished the beauty and threatened the sustainability of the environment and the comfort of tourists.

He stressed the importance of the involvement of all parties in managing waste in the tourist area so as not to damage the reputation of Indonesia’s tourism globally.

“This is a serious problem that can change the global projection of the goals of sustainable development,” he said.

Ni Luh Puspa refers to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) 12th point, namely responsible consumption and production, as a foothold to improve the national waste management system.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) targets that Indonesia is free of waste in 2025, through a reduction in waste by 30 percent and handling by 70 percent.

“The existing TPA (Final Disposal Site) now contributes to soil, water and air pollution, even impacting public health. This is a problem that we cannot ignore,” he continued.