C. Java, NTT to Offer More Attractions to Lure Tourists

West Nusa Tenggara Governor Zulkieflimansyah, North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, East Nusa Tenggara Governor Viktor Laiskodat before delivering press statement at Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (15/7). (Photo by: Jay/PR)

In a bid to attract more tourists, Central Java province and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province are poised to organize more events in their respective signature tourist destinations such Borobudur temple and Labuan Bajo.

The move comes to follow up President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo decision to list the two tourist destinations in the four super prioritized tourist destinations.

“Today, President and Vice President gave directives on the importance of supporting infrastructure and attraction. In addition, since most tourists only visit Borobudur temple once in a while, the area needs more tourist attractions,” Governor of Central Java told reporters after attending a limited meeting on the Development of Priority Tourist Destinations, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (15/7).

According to the Governor, the province is the host of Borobudur Marathon, the biggest annual running race event in Central Java.

He added that this year’s edition adopts a theme ‘Synergy and Harmony’ and will apply a ballot system like those applied in World Marathon Majors, including Tokyo and Berlin Marathon. Therefore, Borobudur Marathon is expected can be a world-class sports tourism destination, he added

In addition to this marathon event, Ganjar noted that the province would also organize Tour de Borobudur which is dubbed as Indonesian version of Tour de France, in which cyclists will ride along a route that passes by tourist destinations in the province.

Ganjar went on to say that Central Java regional government continues to promote several events in Borobudur temple compound, including arts and culture festival, carnival, and music performance.

For the record, international diva Mariah Carey also held a concert at the temple compound back in 2018, while Irish pop vocal group Westlife is scheduled to hold a concert in the same place next month to mark their 20^th anniversary.

“We will promote those events to the public,” Ganjar said, adding that guest houses near the temple are fully booked for the Borobudur Marathon in November.

“The regional government will offer banking soft loan without collateral to local residents who want to run guest houses. Therefore, the guest houses are expected to accommodate all visitors of events to be held in Borobudur area,” Ganjar said, adding that people are expected to visit Borobudur not only because they want to see the temple but also because of events and attractions.

In the meantime, Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Viktor Laiskodat thanked the President and Minister of Tourism for naming Labuan Bajo as one of 10 prioritized tourist destinations. He added that the regional government must improve tourist facilities and amenities and raise people’s awareness of service and hygiene.

“East Nusa Tenggara province has many tourist attractions, such as Kelabba Maja (which is known for beautiful cliff and rock formations) and fish summoning festival to be held on 19-21 July 2019,” Viktor said, adding that Kelabba Maja is as beautiful as Grand Canyon in Arizona, the US.

The Governor expressed belief that support from the Central Government in developing tourism in the province can help alleviate poverty in the province, which has one of the highest poverty rate in Indonesia.  (AIT/RSF/JAY/ES)

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : M. Ersan Pamungkas