Indonesia Hosts First Ever International Business and Government Leaders’ Gathering on Sustainable Marine Tourism in the Coral Triangle

 Jakarta - Over 300 leaders from the business, government and non-government sector representing 17 countries are set to converge in Nusa Dua in Bali, Indonesia on August 27-29, 2015 to map out policies, strategies, and share innovative means to promote sustainable marine tourism in the Coral Triangle –the world’s epicenter of marine biodiversity. 

The leaders will be attending the 4th Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security Regional Business Forum, which carries the theme “Charting the Future of the Coral Triangle as a Global Sustainable Tourism Destination.”  

The Coral Triangle, dubbed the epicenter of marine biodiversity in the world, is home to over 2,000 different types of reef fish and 605 coral species.  It covers the territories of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.

The three-day forum, hosted Indonesia Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and Ministry of Tourism, will have three main components: the Coral Triangle Sustainable Marine Tourism Conference, the Coral Triangle Marine Tourism Investment Forum and B2B Meetings, and the Coral Triangle Marine Tourism Expo. 

"Since the launch of the Coral Triangle Initiative in 2009, Indonesia has worked together with our partner countries to lead efforts in sustaining the Coral Triangle and we are very proud to host this Forum and welcome our fellow leaders and visionaries from the Coral Triangle region and the rest of the world to promote sustainable marine tourism agenda, "said Safri Baharudin, Deputy of Human Resources, Science and Maritime Cuture of Indonesia Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs.  “ This forum is aligned to vision of the government to strengthen Indonesia as a maritime nation,” he added.

"This event will open up a number of responsible business opportunity and increased investment from the private sector are important for the preservation of the coral triangle region's waters for a long period, and the millions of people who depend on the health of the oceans as a livelihood," said Director General of Marine, Coastal and Small island affairs, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

Attending the Forum are Hon. John Pundari, Papua New Guinea Minister of Environment and Conservation and Chair of the CTI-CFF Council of Ministers; Dato Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, and Hon. Bartholomew Parapolo, Solomon Islands Minister for Culture and Tourism. High-ranking government officials from Philippines and Timor-Leste will also be joining the event and U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake will also be giving his remarks on the forum’s second day.

Leading Indonesian business leaders such as Francis Welirang, Director of PT Indofood Sukses Makmur and Founder of Indonesia Philanthropy Association and Capt. Novianto Herupratomo, Executive Vice President of Garuda Indonesia, Ismail Ning, Chairman of the Indonesian Marine Association (GAHAWISRI), are among the lead plenary speakers together with international experts such as Luigi Cabrini, Global Sustainable Tourism Council Chairman of the Board and UN World Tourism Organization adviser. 

"Coral Triangle countries posses extraordinary natural resources, some of them constituting unique attractions and must conserve these resources as their capital for future generations. An approach which values social, economic and environmental sustainability  is good not only for local communities and natural resources but provides marketing opportunities as an increasing share of  visitors choose sustainable destinations for their holidays, " Mr. Cabrini noted.

The 4th CTI-CFF Regional Business Forum aims to provide a platform for the discovery of innovative and collaborative solutions to promote best practices for responsible tourism, private sector leadership in sustainable and responsible tourism, and branding the Coral Triangle as a regional sustainable marine tourism destination that benefits local communities.

Coral Triangle region possess abundant marine resources that attracts tourists from all over the world. However, the existence of marine ecosystem are at risk now days. Tourism has both direct and indirect impacts to coral reefs. Snorkeling and diving may cause direct physical damage to reefs. Fishing and collecting items from the ocean can contribute to over-exploitation and threat to endangered species. Indirect impacts of tourism on marine resources damages are related with infrastructure development.

“This event is a great opportunity to gather all stakeholders be it the private sectors, communities, governments and NGOs which allow them to reiterate their commitment towards sustainable practices in marine tourism. Aside from sharing best practices, this event also becomes an avenue for Coral Triangle countries to market their marine landmarks as world’s best holiday destinations”, said Widi A. Pratikto Ph.D, Executive Director of Regional Secretariat CTI-CFF.

Data from the World Travel and Tourism Council shows that the travel and tourism industry in the six countries of the Coral Triangle has tremendous economic impact.  In 2014, it contributed to US$ 58 billion in the region’s gross domestic product and provided direct employment to more than 5 million people.  Approximately US $3 billion in coastal tourism revenues are derived as annual foreign exchange income in the region.

“Indonesia is well known for its marine biodiversity and one of the largest areas in the Coral triangle, therefore, it is very important to maintain the country’s underwater forest. The private sector needs to understand that no tourism will happen without sustainability. When government lack resources, the private sector should stand hand in hand in protecting the area,” said Ismail Ning, Chairman of the Indonesian Marine Association (GAHAWISRI) and Chair of Pacto Ltd.

The forum is especially crucial to Indonesia as it plans to develop the National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN) from the original maritime area from 8 areas in 2014 to 25 areas in 2019. This as marine tourism in the country continues to continuously increase in the last 3 years. In Komodo National Park, the number of foreign tourists increased by 9.42% from 2011 to 2013. In Badung (41 833 / year 2011 to 45 776 / year 2013); Raja Ampat Islands in West Papua increased by 56.48% in 2012 compared to 2010 (3858/2010 to 6037/2012); Similarly, Wakatobi which increased by 45.77% in the year 2013 (2274/2011 to 3315/2013); Sabang while in North Sumatra increased by 17.5% in 2013 compared to 2010 (3932/2010 to 4622/2013).

“This forum is visionary in the sense that we recognize that promoting sustainable marine tourism can have tremendous impact in sustaining the rich biodiversity of the Coral Triangle and the lives and livelihoods of more than 120 million people who depend on it. We can only protect and sustain this unique resource if we engage all stakeholders including the private sector, local government leaders, and women leaders across the Coral Triangle region.” said Coral Triangle Center Executive Director Rili Djohani, one of the forum’s main organizers.

The Forum will also have various side events including a forum on local government network leaders, a women leaders forum. The event is co-organized by the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat, US Agency for International Development, the US Department of the Interior, the National Oceanic and Atmoshperic Administration, the Coral Triangle Center, and supported by WWF, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, Tone, XL Axiata, and BNI.