Dispar Maluku Fighting For Banda Neira Becomes A National Tourism Priority

Acting Head of the Maluku Provincial Tourism Office, Afandi Hasanusi, in the Ambon Peace Gong courtyard, Saturday night (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Maluku Province Tourism Office (Dispar) is fighting for Banda Neira, Central Maluku Regency, to become a priority for tourist destinations at the national level.

"Currently, what is our big debt and our target, is how the tourist destinations in Maluku, one of which we are fighting for, namely Banda Neira, can be a national tourism priority," said Acting Head of Maluku Dispar, Afandi Hasanusi, in Ambon, Saturday night.

He said that the Maluku Dispar agreed that Banda Neira would be a priority for national tourist destinations because it was considered to have complete tourism potential.

The two have tourism potential that can be said to be in the complete category. Starting from the potential for cultural tourism, history, sea, then there are many communications there," he said.

He said he was sure that all elements of society agreed that Banda Neira could be a priority for the Maluku Dispar, without neglecting other tourist destinations.

"I think we all agree. But this doesn't mean we ignore the others, no. But we encourage for now is Banda Neira. Because Banda has its own uniqueness, said Hasanusi.

He explained, by targeting Banda Neira to become a national tourism priority, Dispar cooperated with various sectors, one of which was banking which had several times made activities that led to tourism in Maluku.

We also prepare the requirements, because to become a national area or priority, one of the tourism requirements must be met. Then what problems or problems that occur, we try to solve them one by one," he said.

Afandi stated that in order to realize this Dispar target, attention from the central government was also needed, that there was a lot of tourism in Maluku.

"And indeed we also really need the attention of the central government as well, that there is a lot of tourism potential in Maluku, not inferior to other provinces," he said.

However, to this day, why is Maluku not included as a national priority. Of course we also need self-introspection. And whatever the requirements, we are trying to fulfill it," he added.

Afandi hopes that other destinations will not only remain silent, but can also highlight tourist destinations in each area in Maluku.

Regularly we also make tourist village competitions, which this year have nominations from Hila Village, namely, historically-based tourist villages. This requires the overall support of the government's attention but also the community," he said.