Sandiaga Uno, who served as tourism and creative economy minister from 2020 to 2024, confirmed on Monday (21/10/24) that he has been offered the post of secretary-general at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) according to reporting from Antara News.
“I have been receiving offers, including from the UN Tourism, in the last few months,” he said during a ministerial position handover ceremony in Jakarta on Monday.
He said that he has not made a decision on the UNWTO offer, saying he will need to consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism first about the opportunity, says Antara News.
“I need to discuss it (the offer) with my family as well as Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono and Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana,” he said.
Antara News reports that Uno added that the two ministers are expected to forward the offer to President Prabowo Subianto, who will decide whether or not the new government will back him for the UNWTO role.
The former minister said that he will prepare several things, including leadership strategies, if he receives approval from the head of state.
He said that he will promote the concepts of quality and sustainable tourism at the UNWTO to create more business and job opportunities for people around the world.
“Indonesia is regarded as a country that has succeeded in restoring its tourism sector in the post-pandemic era, paving the way for economic recovery. I am planning to bring up Indonesia’s experiences to the world level,” he elaborated.
For their Red and White Cabinet, President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka have decided to split the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy into a separate Tourism Ministry and Creative Economy Ministry, according to Antara News, adding that Widiyanti Putri Wardhana has been appointed Tourism Minister, and Teuku Riefky Harsya has been assigned the post of Creative Economy Minister.
Source: Antara News
Stock Image: Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy website
