Public Works Ministry Develops Strategic Tourist Areas’ Infrastructure

Borobudur Strategic Tourist Area. Photo by: Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing

In a bid to support productivity in tourism sector in the new normal, Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing continues the measures to complete infrastructure projects in five National Strategic Tourism Areas (KSPN), namely Lake Toba, Borobudur , Mandalika, Labuan Bajo and Manado-Likupang,

“In the new normal, to coexist with COVID-19, the Government believes that the main economic sector that can rebound quickly is the tourism sector. To that end, there were no infrastructure development activities in five KSPN that were stopped,” Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono said.

Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing has allocated Rp8.82 trillion for infrastructure development in the five KSPN which are carried out from 2019 to 2021. In details, Rp1.67 trillion was allocated in 2019, Rp4.19 trillion in 2020 and Rp2.96 trillion in 2021.

For 2020, Rp4.19 trillion is allocated to 190 projects, including 70 projects in Lake Toba with budget of Rp1.38 trillion, 32 projects in Borobudur with budget of Rp1 trillion, 21 projects in Mandalika with budget of Rp600 billion, 42 projects in Labuan Bajo with budget of Rp870 billion and 25 projects in Manado-Likupang with budget of Rp320 billion. 33% of 190 physical construction projects have started, using the budget of Rp1.47 trillion.

The infrastructure in KSPN developed by Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing includes roads and bridges, water reservoirs and flood control infrastructure, area management, increasing the capacity of landfills, and residential facilities in tourist areas.

In relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic, there are a number of Integrated Security and Safety Protocol Standards in tourist areas, including the provision of 4-star quality toilet for KSPN Labuan Bajo and Borobudur and 3-star facilities in other KSPN.

The Ministry also provides hand washing facilities in pedestrian areas and tourist areas (markets/MSMEs areas/souvenir areas), services for the disabled, network and communication equipment, as well as supporting facilities for equipment and transportation to anticipate emergencies and disasters.

In supporting productivity in the tourism sector in the new normal, Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing emphasizes the corridors in tourism areas in the forms of roads, sidewalks and fences, using local trees. Homestay facilities are built with traditional house designs, including house fences along the main corridor leading to tourist areas, while KSPN Labuan Bajo is designated as pilot project for premium quality pedestrian areas, with underground utility box.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, activities in the five KSPN are carried out in accordance with the COVID-19 prevention protocol, including by maintaining physical distance, wearing face masks, and avoiding crowds. The activities are also based on Instruction of Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Number 02/IN/M/2020 on the COVID-19 Prevention Protocol in Implementation of Construction Services (Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana