Waiting For The Cable Car To Awaken West Sumatra Tourism

JAKARTA - Tourism is one of the important sectors in the economic development of West Sumatra which is expected to become an industry and one of the basis for West Sumatra's development for the next five years in addition to agriculture.

In the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) of the Provincial Government of West Sumatra 2021-2026, the tourism sector has its own mission, namely increasing the creative economy and tourism competitiveness.

Therefore, improvements to tourist destinations, both local and international, need to be improved. The planned improvement strategy is to increase attractions, accessibility and amenities in tourist destinations.

Furthermore, developing unique and specific tourism objects, inviting the private sector to play a role in investment and development of tourism destinations, increasing the role of the community in tourism management.

One of the tourist attractions offered to investors to build in West Sumatra is the cable car ride (skylift/cable car/sky pass). A cable car is a gandola that hangs and runs on a cable.

Cable car lines are generally straight lines and can only turn at small angles at the station. Initially the cable car was used at tourist attractions such as Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Ancol Dreamland Park, Kumala Island, and so on.

In developed countries, skylifts or sky cables are easy to find in snowy areas, mountainous areas, or amusement parks, even now they are also used for public transportation in urban areas.

The cable car has a simple but safe technological design when compared to the monorail, the investment cost is much cheaper. One cabin can accommodate 4-12 passengers.

However, the cable car also has a cabin type with a larger capacity that can carry up to 150 passengers. The cable car's capacity can reach 3,000 passengers per hour at a speed of 4-6 meters per second.

If the cable car is built in the Puncak Lawang area, Maninjau, or in the Twin Lakes area of Mount Talang, Solok Regency, the assumption is that one cabin is planned to accommodate 6 people with 1 service cabin. The distance traveled one lap will pass 2.85 km in 20 minutes if the speed is at 5 meters per second.

The floating of the idea of Skylift / cable car cannot be separated from several considerations. There is no cable car ride on the island of Sumatra.

The construction of the Skylift in West Sumatra will be the first unique vehicle attraction that crosses the cool and beautiful geopark area so that it can become a prima donna tourist destination in West Sumatra. Cable car rides can be an alternative means of transportation for tourists while enjoying the view from a 360-degree perspective.

The construction of this unique and first vehicle in Sumatra is expected to attract tourists, especially from the Sumatra area with the potential for the beautiful West Sumatra Geopark area.

Finally, in the future the presence of the Skylift tourist attraction will be a multiplier effect on the creation of employment opportunities, increasing SME activities, opening up investment opportunities in the hotel and restaurant sector, as well as increasing the overall tourist attraction of West Sumatra.

There are two potential alternative locations for the development of Skylift tourist attractions, namely the Talang and Maninjau areas. The Talang area which is located in Solok Regency is at an altitude of 2,597 meters above sea level, the temperature is very cool and has a special view because from above we can enjoy views of 5 lakes at once.

The Maninjau area is also no less potential for the construction of a Skylift. From a height at Puncak Lawang we can see the beautiful expanse of rice fields and the soothing stretch of Maninjau lake.

The Talang area has potential where the distance from the city of Padang is quite close. This friend is also a Geopark area which also has camping, paragliding and bike mountain areas.

There are also natural hot springs, premium quality tea gardens, and a colorful diversity of flora. The Gunung Talang area is perfect for nature lovers who like relaxation with natural views, health therapy with volcanic warm water, real food lovers of organic fruits and vegetables, tea lovers, and lovers of challenging natural sports.

Meanwhile, Maninjau also has many advantages to be a Skylift attraction area. The distance is not too far from the city of Padang and also close to the city of Bukittinggi. Maninjau is also a Geopark and a KSPN (National Tourism Strategic Area) area with cool temperatures.

This area is also a historical tourist area which is the birthplace of Buya Hamka. The Maninjau area is already popular with foreign tourists for its history, beautiful sunsets on the lake, and unique and delicious culinary delights.

Maninjau's proximity to the city of Bukittinggi is also a plus where tourists will not only enjoy the natural beauty of Maninjau as a Geopark, but also close to shopping access, historical tours, and the zoo.

Bukittinggi is a city that is quite famous in Sumatra as the most complete textile shopping center, and is well known abroad for the many relics of the Dutch and Japanese colonial times.

In the market analysis, the Skylift vehicle, or the first cable car in West Sumatra, will be supported by transportation access to the Trans Sumatra Toll Road, which is currently under construction.

This toll road will make the distance to the destination shorter and cheaper. With the existence of the Trans Sumatra Toll Road, West Sumatra tourism can widen the target of potential tourists from South Sumatra, Riau, Jambi and Bengkulu.