REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, AMBON -- Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan has called on mass media players to realize the development of the maritime sector. "The mass media players have an important role in the development of the nation, as Indonesia has abundant natural marine resources," Panjaitan said during the discussion on the sidelines of the National Press Day (HPN) 2017 here on Wednesday.

The senior minister remarked that Indonesia has immense potential in maritime tourism, because the country has extraordinary natural marine resources, including coral reefs and marine life diversity.  "The natural marine resources should be maintained and preserved," he stated.

In addition, Indonesia has the potential in fisheries industry. "It is important for us to build the nation," he remarked.

The government has integrated the maritime development with other sectors, including communication facilities, harbor, electricity and gas stations in coastal areas, he noted. 

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and the Ministry of Tourism earlier agreed to develop the curriculum of various educational institutions in order to develop maritime tourism in the country. "We will utilize the existence of educational institutions in the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries," Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said here on Tuesday.

The tourism minister hoped that the syllabus would focus on the development of maritime tourism in the country. He also hoped that the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) could be involved in formulating a program of study in terms of innovation and creativity development.

Meanwhile, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti stated that European countries could develop their lands through tourism. "Such efforts can also be taken by Indonesia to develop maritime tourism," the minister added.

Susi also highlighted the unhygienic conditions prevailing in fishing harbors. Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism can also help improve the cleanliness of the port.

She also stressed the importance of changing the paradigm and attitudes, as part of the efforts to develop the maritime tourism in Indonesia. "Domestic and foreign tourists have expressed interest in the maritime tourism in the country," she remarked.

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