Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (AntaraNews NTT) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank (WB) delegation`s visit to Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, had a positive impact on improving the area`s tourism infrastructure, Indonesian Manggarai West Indonesian Guides Association (HPI) Chairman Sebastian Pandang stated.
"The visible impacts are improvements in various supporting infrastructure, such as roads, water, and culinary locations, to improve cleanliness in Labuan Bajo," he remarked when contacted by Antara from Kupang on Monday (22/10).
He noted that it was related to the visit of the IMF-WB delegation to Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, after holding a meeting in Bali on Oct 8-14.
According to Pandang, the central government had earlier made improvements in various tourism-supporting infrastructure to welcome the delegates.
He said such infrastructure improvement is highly expected, such as tourist tours on the field, so that excellent and optimum guide services can be offered.
One such example is revamping the culinary location in Kampung Ujung that appeared neat, with the construction of stalls equipped with chairs and tables, toilets, and other supporting facilities.
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In addition, the problem of thrash found on the shore of Labuan Bajo City has begun to be brought under control.
"Improvements in security have begun to be made in Labuan Bajo. This is the result of the visit of IMF-WB delegates," he stated.
Pandang admitted to not being aware of the number of delegates that had traveled until now to Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park, as they directly dealt with tour operators determined by the government.
Pandang remarked that on-field conditions had not yet indicated that the number of visiting delegates reached hundreds to thousands according to information earlier known.
"There may be one or two delegations that are currently in Labuan Bajo, but those who come in large numbers at the same time have not yet appeared on the field," he stated.
However, he claimed to be optimistic that the visit of international guests will have a major impact on the promotion of tourism in Labuan Bajo and the Province of East Nusa Tenggara, in general.
"This is since these tourists are high-class, important people from various parts of the world, so the impact of promotion is certainly quite large when they convey their impression during a visit to people in his country," he added.
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