cfi-indonesia.id. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) visited and assessed the 2024 Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) in Negeri Laha, Teluk Ambon District, Ambon City, Maluku. The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) - 6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative - Indonesia Child Project (CFI-ICP)_ with its fostered groups in Ambon City including in Laha Village participated in the visit. (12/09/2024).

Maluku Province succeeded in achieving achievements in the national tourism scene in the top 50 list of the best tourist villages in the 2024 Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI). A total of 6,016 ADWI 2024 participants, the Maluku Islands with two tourist villages, namely Letvuan Paradise Tourism Village, Southeast Maluku Regency and Negeri Laha Tourism Village, Ambon City, were nominated in the top 50.

Deputy for Resources and Institutions of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Martini Mohamad Paham accompanied by Director of Destination Management Florida Pardosi and ADWI 2024 judges Vindek Tengker and Madeine Sophie visited Laha Village in Ambon City. According to Martini, Laha Village was nominated in the top 50 ADWI from 6,016 villages throughout Indonesia, not only has underwater tourism that attracts tourists. Laha Village is also one of the traditional villages (Negeri) with rich customs and culture.

During the visit and assessment, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy handed over a plaque to Negeri Laha as the 50 best tourist villages in the 2024 Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI).

GEF 6 CFI Indonesia and its Binanya Group in Ambon City participated in the visit and assessment activities. Especially the fishery product processing group and ecoprint batik from Laha Village. Various processed fish products and eco print products were also exhibited such as eco print batik cloth, scarf/scarf, totebag and others.

The Deputy for Resources and Institutions of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Director of Destination Management along with the ADWI 2024 jury, Acting Mayor of Ambon, Head of the City Fisheries Office, Head of the City Tourism Office, Basarnas, Pertamina, Head of Angkasa Pura 1 Ambon and other groups also visited the booth of the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia Development Group.

According to information conveyed by the head of the Batik Eco Print Mahina Negeri Laha Maliha group, when welcoming the group, the committee draped an eco print scarf to the Deputy for Resources and Institutions of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and gave totebags and eco print scarves to the jury.

Martini appreciated the ecoprint products made by Ibu Laha. She even went down to buy some ecoprint batik products from the ecoprint batik mahina group. On the same occasion, she discussed with the group members and suggested that it was time for the group to take care of licensing including the Business Identification Number (NIB).

The day before the ADWI 2024 Vindek Tengker and Madeine Sophie jury team of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy conducted an assessment in Laha Village. The ADWI assessment includes five criteria, namely tourism potential, amenity, digital, institutional, human resources, and resilience. One of the targets of the assessment is the production of eco-print batik in the production house, starting from how it is made to the results of the products displayed on the mannequin statue.

Sintawati, one of the members of the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia assisted group, presented her eco print batik products to the ADWI 2024 Jury. Starting with the introduction of what ecoprtint is, the reason why it should be produced, introducing natural coloring materials and leaf motifs, the production process with two ecoprint techniques (steam and pounding) and shibori coloring techniques by tying and dipping in dye solution. Furthermore, it shows the product results of the three techniques.

The presence of Mahina Ecoprint Batik group products in Laha Village with various products received appreciation and support from various parties. The GM of Angkasa Pura 1 Ambon City will facilitate the marketing of its products at Pattimura Airport Ambon, both ecoprint batik and other processed products, if this group has a license. On the same occasion, the GM of Angkasa Pura also bought ecoprint products and plans to order totebag products.

The same support also came from the Head of the Ambon City Fisheries Service Feberien Maail, S.Pi., MT. She will help promote the ecoprint batik through her social media, WhatsApp, Facebook and Tik Tok.

Meanwhile, the Ambon City Tourism Office has ordered a large number of blue totebags to be promoted to various parties.

As a follow-up to this activity, PMU GEF 6 CFI Indonesia together with the Laha Village Fisheries Extension Officer, Laha Village Government and Mahina Eco Print Batik Group will facilitate the processing of NIB, HAKI and market expansion. According to Adipati Rahmat, Project Manager of GEF 6 CFI Indonesia, this process is immediately carried out to facilitate wider marketing including in modern retail and online markets.

Members of the Laha Village women's group feel the benefits of GEF 6 CFI Indonesia's presence with its alternative livelihood programs including eco printed batik. “Thank you for GEF 6 CFI Indonesia, hopefully the ecoprint Negeri Laha remains solid in togetherness, all of this was started with assistance from GEF 6 for Laha, Tawiri and Batumerah Villages, success for GEF 6 CFI Indonesia, keep going” said Nursin Mewar, one of the champion group participants from Laha Village.

“Hopefully the noble ideals of the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia Project to increase the income of fishing families and coastal communities can be achieved, Amen” said Sintawati, a member of the Mahina Ecoprint Batik Group in Laha Village.