Jakarta (ANTARA) - US-based travel guidebook company Lonely Planet has included Raja Ampat, a tourist destination located in West Papua province, Indonesia, in its ‘Best in Travel’ list for 2023, which recommends must-visit places in the world.
Lonely Planet has named Raja Ampat and five other places—Jordan, Dominica, Halkidiki in Greece, Jamaica, and Malta—as “unwind destinations” where tourists can “relax and rebalance.”
"This award brings hope for the revival of quality and world-class Indonesian tourist destinations. This award, at the same time, proves that the global tourism trend has changed from the old 3S, namely Sand, Sun, and Sea to the new 3S, namely Spirituality, Serenity, and Sustainability," Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said in a statement issued here on Friday.
Uno described Raja Ampat as a complete new 3S destination.
"One of the villages in the area, namely Arborek Tourism Village, has been successfully designated as a pilot project for quality and sustainable tourism destinations," he informed.
Meanwhile, Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, said that Raja Ampat has been selected thanks to its coral reefs and diving spots, which are unrivaled in the world.
The less crowded atmosphere at Raja Ampat is expected to provide an alternative to other well-known Indonesian islands for international tourists.
"We hope that this award will help increase the international community's awareness of Raja Ampat and Indonesia, as well as spur all Indonesian tourism actors to improve the management of the new 3S destinations more actively," she said.
“Well-known for its coral reefs, excellent diving, and beautiful beaches, Raja Ampat is a great alternative to better-known Indonesian islands. The best way to see these stunning (and remote) islands is by chartering a 'liveaboard' dive boat, and heading out to sea for several days," Lonely Planet wrote on its website.
Earlier, Bali was ranked first among the 10 happiest holiday destinations in the world by Club Med, a France-based travel and tourism operator.
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