South Sulawesi Is Rich In Natural Enchantment, Governor Nurdin Abdullah Asks To Boost Tourism

Enchantment of Selayar Sulsel (Photo via South Sulawesi Provincial Government)

MAKASSAR - The natural charm of South Sulawesi (Sulsel) is extraordinary. This potential should be utilized to advance the region in order to improve the regional economy.

Therefore, the development of tourism potential must continue. If this sector moves, the economic aspect will be boosted. South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah reminded that the newly appointed regional heads in South Sulawesi are also expected to take this role.

"God willing, South Sulawesi will become one of Indonesia's leading tourist destinations. Hopefully we, together with the recently appointed regents and mayors, I am sure we have the same enthusiasm as us to polish all of our tourism potential so that it can become a tourism destination," said Nurdin Abdullah. in the Forum Group Discussion (FGD) program with the theme Management of Natural Potential and Tourism in South Sulawesi, Friday 26 February.

Apart from the Governor of South Sulawesi, there were also speakers, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy); Mohamad Nurdin Subandi (Head of OJK Regional Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua).

Then Budi Hanoto (Head of Bank Indonesia Representative Office for South Sulawesi Province); Ary A. Setiawan (Senior Vice President PT. Summarecon Agung Tbk and Adi Satria (Senior Vice President Operations and Gov Relations, Accor Indonesia & Malaysia).

Prof. NA, Nurdin Abdullah's nickname, said that South Sulawesi was blessed with God with a very beautiful nature. Of the 24 districts / cities, all of them have tourism potential, but they need to be refined.

"I saw the islands are so beautiful, the coral reefs are so wide, especially like in Takabonerate, they have the third largest coral reef atoll in the world," he said.

The South Sulawesi Provincial Government continues to make various efforts to increase tourism potential by growing new economic centers, increasing connectivity with infrastructure development to support accessibility to regional leading tourist destinations.

Nurdin said, Tana Toraja is one of the favorite destinations that are very distinctive in South Sulawesi, both for local and international tourists. However, due to inadequate infrastructure, such as dusty damaged roads, the existing tourism potential cannot be maximized.

Governor of South Sulawesi Nurdin Abdullah with a new regional head (DOK. Instagram Nurdin Abdullah)

The government's target is to ensure that there are repeated visits and endorsements from tourists who come to tourist spots in South Sulawesi, including Toraja. Therefore, efforts to provide maximum service and supporting facilities.

"One of the efforts to develop tourism potential is to build regional connectivity. In 2020 the Buntu Kunik Airport in Tana Toraja was completed. "So that tourists who want to go to Toraja just need to take a plane for 45 minutes," he added.

In addition, the government has also allocated a budget for a number of strategic infrastructure infrastructure projects in the Toraja area. Through the support of the availability of infrastructure and supporting connectivity, his party wants to create a dust-free and tourist-friendly Toraja area.

Lejja Hot Spring, Soppeng, another tourism potential that is being developed is the concept of healthy tourism by making the Lejja Hot Spring or Hot Spring. This Healthy Tourism is a program in collaboration with the Japanese Government through the sister province program.

Other support is carried out by building a shortcut link between the districts of Soppeng and Barru. This route passes through the Lejja area, Soppeng, to Nepo, Barru Regency, so that access to Lejja can be faster.

Tanjung Bira is included in a very attractive marine tourism area. Similar to several other tourist spots, the distance of Tanjung Bira from the center of Makassar City is also quite far because it takes around 5-6 hours by land.

Therefore, it is planned to build a toll road that can connect Makassar with Bulukumba, as well as to build an airport in Bira. That way, tourists have more options.

The South Sulawesi Provincial Government also synergizes with the Bulukumba Regency Government to accelerate infrastructure development, in this case the restructuring and arrangement of Bira Tourism Objects such as the Zero Point Area.

Meanwhile, Selayar Regency is famous for its Takabonerate National Park which is one of the leading tourist destinations. This area is a marine park that has an area of atolls or clusters of coral reefs in the third largest in the world.

The South Sulawesi Provincial Government is also working to develop the existing tourism potential, by developing a Special Economic Zone (KEK) for Tourism in the Selayar Islands, by preparing various tourism needs, infrastructure, and connectivity.

"KEK Tourism is not only centered on the natural potential of tourism, but also agro-agriculture such as tangerines which we want to restore their glory. We often call this orange lemo china, it would be great if we can return its glory," he hoped.

The government is also planning the construction of the Bira crossing port and the Pattumbukang Selayar port, so that tourists have many options, either by direct air from Makassar or by direct sea from Bira Bulukumba to Selayar.

Meanwhile, the accessibility to tourism to Matano and Towuti Lakes was also conveyed.

"I think this is also the only lake that belongs to the deepest ancient lake in Southeast Asia, approximately 600 meters deep with an area of 16 thousand hectares," he explained.

This lake has clear water and is included in the category of ancient lakes inhabited by endemic fauna. Uniquely, this endemic animal does not exist in other lakes in Indonesia.

In order for this lake to become a center for visits, the infrastructure and connectivity must be developed. The only way to solve the mileage problem is that there must be a public flight route and airport.

So far, access from Makassar to Sorowako by air takes about 45 minutes and by land for about 10-11 hours.

Access by air is also still constrained, because the airport in Sorowako is a special airport belonging to PT.Vale.

"We are also in the negotiation process in order to encourage tourism potential in Luwu Raya. We ask PT Vale so that the airport there can be handed over to the Provincial Government to manage it, so that later it will no longer only be used by Vale planes but regular planes can also land there. I'm sure that within a few months the airport will be handed over, "he explained.

Prof. NA believes that South Sulawesi can make tourism a leading sector capable of encouraging the development of other industries. Therefore, in an effort to develop a tourism area, it is building connectivity so that an integrated tourism area is built and provides more supporting facilities.

Nurdin explained, the condition of South Sulawesi tourism was also far behind compared to before the pandemic. The number of foreign tourists entering Indonesia is 16 million, but those who enter South Sulawesi are only 17 thousand visitors.

"This needs to be corrected what is the obstacle, foreign tourists to South Sulawesi are still very small," said Nurdin.

The key, according to Nurdin, is to be serious about dealing with infrastructure and connectivity as well as tourism human resources. It is also hoped that the private sector will also play a role.

"We believe, God willing, in the next two to three years, we will prepare South Sulawesi to become superior tourism, both natural, cultural and marine tourism. Because the 319 islands we have, which are inhabited are over 50 percent. So the opportunity to develop marine tourism is still very much. great, "he concluded.