Bangkalan Regency Government Involves Ulama To Develop Religious Tourism

Bassra Ulama Meeting with the Bangkalan Regency Government at the Bangkalan Regency Hall, East Java. (ANTARA/HO-Bangkalan Regency Government)

JAKARTA - In order to encourage growth in visits to religious tourist destinations, the Bangkalan Regency Government, East Java, continues to take strategic steps.

One of the efforts made was to collaborate with religious leaders, especially scholars who are members of the Madura Islamic Boarding School Ulama Ulama Council (Bassra), to design religious tourism development that is in line with local values.

The Regent of Bangkalan, Lukman Hakim, said that the role of scholars is very significant in the lives of the Madura people, so that their involvement in planning and development of religious tourism destinations is an important step.

"Ulama is a central figure in the social order of our society. Therefore, this synergy is needed so that tourism development remains in line with culture, religious values, and Madura traditions," Lukman said when met in Bangkalan, Tuesday, as quoted by ANTARA.

Bangkalan Regency itself is known to have one of the most potential religious tourist attractions, namely the grave of the great scholar Syaichona Kholil. This location is the destination for the pilgrimage of thousands of people every day, making it one of the important centers of religious visits on Madura Island.

Local governments consider that the development of this area not only strengthens regional religious identities, but also contributes to improving the community's economy through the tourism sector.

The initial meeting between the Bangkalan Regency Government and the Bassra management which took place some time ago resulted in a joint commitment to work together for the benefit of the community at large. During the meeting, Bassra also encouraged the maximum use of regional potential to support sustainable religious tourism.

Several important points were also discussed, such as protection for local MSME actors who depend on tourism areas. Bassra also emphasized the importance of maintaining moral value by anticipating potential activities that can arise as tourist visits increase.

"The input from Bassra will be of our concern in formulating policy steps that favor the community, especially small business actors, so that tourism development does not kill their livelihood," added Regent Lukman.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) states that Bangkalan Regency has a total of 18 tourist destinations consisting of four pilgrimage sites, six cultural sites, and eight natural tourist attractions. This great potential is an opportunity for Bangkalan to strengthen regional identity as a value-rich spiritual tourist destination.