Jatiluwih World Cultural Heritage Tourism Area in Bali Welcomes Delegates from the World Water Forum

"I believe this will become one of the most memorable destinations," said Sandiaga in a meeting with tourism sector stakeholders in Bali and local government officials in Tabanan Regency.

Also read: Bali Prepares to Welcome the World Water Forum

The Jatiluwih region, with its cultural heritage of rice paddies and subak wisdom, is hoped to further strengthen Indonesia's leadership position in the world water management forum in Bali. "For WWF later, I think it is ready to be implemented. Hopefully, the visit here (Jatiluwih) will bring pleasant memories for the WWF delegates," said Sandiaga.

The 10th World Water Forum Conference will be held in Bali on May 18-25, 2024. Under the leadership of the Indonesian Government in the upcoming WWF meeting in Bali, four important missions will be carried out, namely the presence of a centralized network in the Asia-Pacific region specifically aimed at water security issues, climate change, and environmental research.

In the press release by the communications and media team, it was mentioned that another mission is to establish relationships with institutions, academics, research organizations, and other international institutions. The next step is the presence of a consortium that focuses on data centers and coordinates and implements various multiparty efforts to create initiatives related to global water issues.

Also read: Subak Jatiluwih Cleans Up to Welcome the World Water Forum in Bali

The government is also pushing for the establishment of World Lake Day in the World Water Forum conference in Bali. The establishment of World Lake Day is driven to maintain the sustainability of water resources.

Operations Manager DTW Jatiluwih I Ketut Purna stated that he is currently improving the DTW Jatiluwih area, including a more adequate parking area. Improvement efforts aim to make every visitor more impressed.

"We hope that Jatiluwih can be a good host in welcoming the visit of WWF delegates later," said Purna while accompanying Sandiaga.

Meanwhile, the Regional Secretary of Tabanan Regency, I Gede Susila, said that the arrival of Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno together with the Director of the Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific United Nation Tourism Harry Hwang accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in the Jatiluwih area It is hoped that it will help promote the tourism potential of Tabanan Regency. He added that the Tabanan Regency Government is committed to maintaining the existence of rice fields and agriculture in the hope of receiving bonuses in the form of tourism activities in Tabanan.

The Chairman of the Regional Tourism Promotion Board (BPPD) Bali, who is also the Chairman of the Bali branch of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Tjokorda "Ace" Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, said that tourism in Jatiluwih is expected to continue growing following its recognition as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.

Tjok Ace also hopes that the existence of subak, rice fields, and other assets in Jatiluwih will be maintained as best as possible to preserve their sustainability, even though the tourism sector and visits to Jatiluwih are growing. "The indicator is the welfare of the local community," he said.

Also read: Water for Shared Prosperity, Mandate for Regional Governments at the 10th World Water Forum

Furthermore, Sandiaga stated that the Jatiluwih area, which is also being developed as a tourist village, exemplifies the implementation of the Tri Hita Karana philosophy, which emphasizes the harmony and balance of relations between humans, nature, environment, and God. He added that the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is currently developing tourism potential in the central and northern areas of Bali to achieve equal distribution and balance of tourism activities.

Sandiaga stated that he agrees with the view of stakeholders in Bali that tourism is a bonus from efforts in preserving culture, nature, and the environment. Jatiluwih is a representation of efforts to develop environmentally sustainable tourism.