Pasuruan – Purwodadi Botanical Garden, one of the botanical gardens managed by PT Mitra Natura Raya (MNR), won the Best Natural Wizard Attraction category at the East Java Tourism Award (EJTA) 2022. The award was handed over by the governor of East Java Hj. Khofifah Indar Parawansa to the General Manager of the Purwodadi Botanical Garden Galendra Jaya representing PT MNR at the Singhasari Hotel & Resort Batu, Saturday (10/12). The East Java Tourism Award, which is organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism (Disbudpar) of East Java province, is the highest tourism award event in East Java.

In his remarks, Governor Khofifah said, the East Java Tourism Award 2022 was held with the aim of providing support and appreciation to tourism people in East Java for their role and dedication to developing the tourism industry. Various initiatives, innovations, and service improvements that have been carried out by tourism personnel to tourists have made the tourism sector a major contributor to the economy and welfare of the people of East Java.

"The East Java government always tries to encourage the Regency/City government, in the recovery of tourism through the development of sustainable-based tourism. Therefore, there must be maximum management of tourist attractions and the tourism industry. To increase global competitiveness, it is hoped that tourism players will utilize information technology," said Khofifah.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahudin Uno through a video conference really appreciated the East Java Tourism Award 2022. "This tourism award is one way to increase the competitiveness of East Java tourism and improve the image that can influence tourists to visit East Java," said Sandiaga Uno.

General Manager of Purwodadi Botanical Garden Galendra Jaya said the East Java Tourism Award 2022 is one of the proofs that the Purwodadi Botanical Garden is one of the tourist destinations in East Java. As a natural tourist area, Purwodadi Botanical Garden is also a reference for students, students, and scientists to learn various aspects of science about various plants in the botanical garden area.

"We are grateful and grateful to the community, the East Java Provincial government, the Pasuruan regional government, BRIN, and all stakeholders of the Purwodadi Botanical Garden for this award. Hopefully, this achievement will make the Purwodadi Botanical Garden more known and become a tourist destination and scientific reference in East Java and Indonesia," said Galendra Jaya, General Manager of the Purwodadi Botanical Garden through an official statement, in Pasuruan, Monday (13/12)

In an effort to optimize the educational function of the Purwodadi Botanical Garden, PT MNR has carried out various innovations and improvements in public services. For example, online ticket sales and improving the quality of public facilities such as places of worship and toilets. The manager also developed various biological plant education programs which have been the main asset in the Purwodadi Botanical Garden.

"As the manager of four botanical gardens in Indonesia, PT MNR is committed to fully supporting the realization of the five functions of botanical gardens optimally. In addition to functioning as a tourist destination and environmental service, it is also a place for plant conservation, environmental research, and education. We want this botanical garden to be a reference for millennials to learn and explore various biological wealth for the advancement of science," added Galendra.

PT. Mitra Natura Raya (PT. MNR) is currently the manager of Purwodadi Botanical Garden, Bogor Botanical Garden, Cibodas Botanical Garden, and Eka Karya Bali Botanical Garden.