Southwest Papua Province became the first province in Indonesia to launch the Wonderful Indonesia Sustainable Experience (WISE) Trips, Southwest Papua programme. The launch was held at Protected Forest Nature Park, Sorong City, on Monday (23/9/2024).
The initiative by the Southwest Papua Youth, Sports, Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Dispora Parekraf), aims to face the challenges of global climate change by promoting low-carbon travel, inviting travellers to participate in preserving Papua’s nature.
Head of the Agency, Yusdi Lamatenggo, emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration to maximise a sustainable economy through innovation and investment in tourism.
According to Yusdi, the WISE Programme is supported by the Ministry of Tourism which launched the Blue Green Circular Economy (BGCE) programme in the tourism sector, with Southwest Papua becoming the first region in Indonesia to implement the circular economy concept in its tourism.
The Acting Governor of Southwest Papua, Muhammad Musa’ad, in his written remarks read by Assistant I for Economic Affairs George Yarangga, stated that the region has great potential in natural and cultural tourism that needs to be managed sustainably.
This step shows Southwest Papua’s serious commitment in developing a sustainable tourism sector while preserving the environment. The WISE Trips programme is expected to be an example for other regions in developing low-carbon tourism to reduce emissions.
The launch was followed by a tree planting as a symbol of reducing carbon emissions, as well as the presentation of plaques to five business partners who have collaborated in the development of this programme.
Previously, the Kasuari Trail Run 2024 event, themed ‘We Are Ready to Keep Nature Sustainable,’ was held at Sorong Nature Park, combining sports with nature conservation.
West Papua Now 