Govt oversees preparation for UGGp renewal assessment in Belitong

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism is overseeing preparations for Belitong Geopark renewal assessment from UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) on August 3-7 in collaboration with local stakeholders.

"I hope today's meeting provides a clear picture of the progress made in addressing all UNESCO recommendations," Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said in a statement received here on Monday.

While visiting the preparation at the Belitong Geopark in Bangka Belitong Islands, Putri Wardhana highlighted several areas that need to be strengthened, including its management structure, budgetary support, the finalisation of necessary regulations, the readiness of communities near the geosites, and the enhancement of interpretation and storytelling at each geosite.

Promoting geoparks as tourist attractions also needs to be developed in a more targeted manner, she added.

The Ministry provides support through, among other things, the installation of signs at priority geosites, the organisation of international seminars, and the creation of bilingual information boards at a number of geosites.

The support also includes regular updates to the geopark’s official website and the integration of real-time weather alerts from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Additionally, the ministry is supporting the continuation of the "Geopark Goes to School" educational programme.

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Putri Wardhana added recommendations and suggestions from UNESCO to Belitong Geopark should be addressed seriously with concrete steps and changes on the ground, rather than just administrative paperwork.

"Every recommendation and suggestion from UNESCO must be answered with real action, strong governance, and tight coordination among local governments, the geopark management, communities, tourism players, and the public," she noted.

Meanwhile, Belitung District Head Djoni Alamsyah Hidayat stated the district government keeps strengthening the management of the Belitong UNESCO Global Geopark to secure a green status and ensure its long-term sustainability, calling on all stakeholders to work together to achieve this goal.

Officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2021, the Belitong Geopark spans approximately 4,800 square kilometers of land and 13,000 square kilometers of sea, featuring 24 geosites scattered across Belitung District and East Belitung District.

Following its first renewal assessment on July 15-20, 2024, UNESCO issued five recommendations and four suggestions for its improvement, resulting in a yellow card status, which requires the management body to take appropriate steps within two years.

Related news: Belitung eyes more foreign tourists, UNESCO Geopark renewal

Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji

Editor: Fransiska Ninditya

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