Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas Called Banyuwangi Not An Attractive Area

Banyuwangi Regent, Abdullah Azwar Anas. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas revealed that from the beginning Banyuwangi was an area that was not very attractive, far from the center of urban growth, had no airport, so it had a not-so-good image in the eyes of other regions in Indonesia.

This portrait was in Banyuwangi several years earlier and slowly changed for the better.

"This is where we see, because there is no option to complain, the option is how to solve the problem so that a large plantation, a large forest area flanked by three national parks is an opportunity, so we decided that the triangle diamond would be a tourism development strategy. for tourism development, "said Azwar Anas, quoted from Antara, Thursday, February 11.

Azwar said, not everyone agrees with his efforts to develop tourism because the sector is considered an image and a waste of money.

"So to encourage all of this we have to dive while drinking, we don't have much time. Now many regencies make tourism but they are not integrated, they learn too much, don't dive right away. In the end, it will take a long time (to develop)," he added.

Azwar said Banyuwangi, which is now progressing and developing, was not done instantly because many things were being done to change the status of the region for the better. Apart from the great tourism potential, cultural aspects are also being developed combined with innovations.

Because of this, the Banyuwangi Regency Government has held many events and festivals, which have now reached 100 events to consolidate culture and nature.

"For Banyuwangi, the festival is not only a matter of tourism, but this is our way of stemming world cultural interventions from each second from our cellphones, that's why Banyuwangi has made many improvements," Azwar concluded.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan continues to campaign for the Proud of Traveling in Indonesia movement to the public to support the recovery of the national tourism sector.

"We need to do this proud movement of traveling in Indonesia to restore the tourism sector in Indonesia. During the pandemic, we know that there has been a decrease in the number of domestic tourists to various tourist destinations in Indonesia. Apart from restoring the national economy, we are proud that traveling in Indonesia will grow a sense of pride and ownership of various tourism potentials in the country, "said Luhut at the Marves Communication Forum in Banyuwangi, Wednesday, February 10.

Luhut said that one of the areas that is now being pushed to develop the tourism sector is Banyuwangi Regency, East Java Province.

Banyuwangi on a world scale

According to Luhut, Banyuwangi has tourism potential and is now known internationally through its various tourism potentials, nature, and world-wide activities. Even in 2021, this district at the end of East Java will be prepared to host the world surfing league.

"Apart from that, the central government also proposes the Ijen geopark to enter the UNESCO world geopark network. In addition, one of the government's efforts to advance the national tourism sector is to integrate elements of information technology, namely integrated digital services and digital payments," he added.

Ijen crater. (Photo: Ministry of Tourism)

In line with this commitment, to facilitate access to tourist destinations, Luhut continued, the government is also building various connectivity infrastructure.

Luhut hopes, with all these efforts, all stakeholders, including social media activists, can promote Banyuwangi tourism and campaign "Proud to Travel in Indonesia"

Not to be left behind, Luhut also advised that besides traveling, health factors are also important, especially in the current pandemic situation.

"I need to remind you to maintain health protocols, because all of our health is the main thing," he said.