JAKARTA: Indonesian villagers need to have better awareness of their surrounding attractions so they are able to promote and support tourism development in regions they come from.

Tourism and Creative Economy minister, Sandiaga Uno, made the appeal when attending the Tourism Awareness Dissemination in Senteluk Village in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, reported Antara news.

In a statement on Sunday, he said the awareness among the local and regional communities, would eventually become part of the tourism and creative economy ecosystem’s strength.

“Later, investors will come on their own to develop homestay with local residents and produce creative economy products, hence automatically the number of tourists will rise,” he added.

Sandiaga said tourism awareness is expected to be able to form a mindset within the people so that they can become an active player within the development of tourism in their regions.

The awareness programme event was also held in four other villages: Pusuk Lestari in West Lombok, Gili Indah, Medana, and Jerowaru in North Lombok.

Sandiaga said the event is a government effort to improve the economy, create as many employment opportunities as possible, and raise awareness toward the tourism potential in the regions.

This is important especially since there is a number of major events to be held in West Nusa Tenggara such as MotoGP Mandalika, Pesona Senggigi, and Motor Cross Grand Prix (MXGP)