DPR Member Rahmawati Wants Kaltara Regional Event to Reach National Market, Promotion is the Key

TANJUNG SELOR - Member of Commission VII of the House of Representatives Rahmawati assessed that the promotion of regional events in North Kalimantan (Kaltara) has not yet been worked on optimally so that the impact on the tourism sector has not been optimal.

He conveyed this when he held a socialization of the Regional Event Promotion and Marketing Strategy in Tanjung Selor, Monday, March 2.

"The main issue is not the lack of activities, but the way of promotion which is still limited and has not involved the community widely," said Rahmawati.

Rahmawati emphasized the need for a change in mindset that tourism is not only the responsibility of the local government, but can be a joint movement of the community.

"So we have to change the way of looking at it, we can sell this tourism through promotion. Not only the government but the community can also be involved," he said.

This Gerindra party politician encourages the Ministry of Tourism to provide an educational space or "school of thought" for the public, so that they understand the economic potential of the tourism sector, including how to utilize digital technology for promotion.

"Medsos (social media) is now the most effective and inexpensive promotional instrument. Creative content that showcases regional activities is able to reach a wider audience without relying entirely on formal government promotions," he said.

Rahmawati gave an example of a number of local events such as the rowing competition on the anniversary of Bulungan and the speed boat race in Tarakan which were able to attract a large participation from the community, including hundreds of fishermen.

"Events like that are actually strong. It's just how it is packaged and promoted consistently so that it is known more widely," said Rahmawati.

According to him, the potential for coastal and river tourism in Kaltara has a unique character compared to other areas. Although the access to the sea and the condition of the waters are a challenge, the wealth of natural ecosystems remains an attraction that can be sold as the identity of regional tourism.

In addition, natural potential such as the cultural sector has not been optimally utilized. Various traditional dances from the Dayak, Tidung, to Bulungan tribes are considered to have high selling value if packaged as a regular tourist attraction.

"Like in Bali, which is able to make local culture the main magnet for tourists through art performances that are consistently promoted globally. Foreigners come because they know what they want to see. We also have the same potential," he said.

Rahmawati hopes that in the future, the promotion of regional events will no longer be incidental, but will be designed as a sustainable strategy.

"In addition to involving the government, business actors, communities, and the public are involved so that local events can penetrate the national and international markets," he said.