Domestic Tourists Start Visiting Kali Biru Raja Ampat, Mostly Nature Lovers

Domestic tourists enjoying the natural beauty of Raja Ampat's blue river (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Domestic tourists have started visiting the natural tourist destination Kali Biru Mayalibit Bay, Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua Province after being closed for a long time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Antara's observation in Warsambin village, Mayalibit Bay, Saturday, the local community's traditional boats have been operating to serve domestic tourists to these natural tourist destinations.

Most of the tourists who visit are nature lovers who are curious about the tourist destinations of the river in the middle of the forest of the charming Waigeo Island.

Amos, a resident of Warsambin Village, a provider of traditional boats to serve tourist visits to Kali Biru, admitted that after the Raja Ampat Regency PPKM (Community Activity Restrictions) level 2 began a lot of domestic tourist visits.

He said that there were not as many tourists visiting Kali Biru as before the COVID-19 pandemic. But the community, especially the traditional boat transportation service providers and local guides are grateful that there are still tourists who come.

"We are grateful that during the COVID-19 pandemic there are still tourists who come so that gradually the local community's economy will be revived", he said as quoted by Antara.

The head of the Raja Ampat Tourism Office, Yusdi Lamatenggo, who gave a separate statement, said that local tourist destinations were ready to receive tourist visits, especially Papuan PON (National Sports Week) athletes who had the opportunity to stop by for a tour in Raja Ampat.

As long as, he said, it complied with the requirements of the local health protocol to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Raja Ampat tourist destinations.

In addition, come to stay at Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat Regency to provide economic benefits for the local community.

"Because if tourists visit and stay in Raja Ampat and then use transportation, lodging, and other services by the local community, it will spur economic growth in Raja Ampat in general", he added.

For nature lovers who have visited Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua Province, they must know that Kali Biru is a river tourist destination in the midst of the charming forest of Waigeo Island.

Kali Biru does not mean that the water of the river located in East Waigeo Mayalibit Bay is blue, but it is so named because when viewed from a distance the river looks blue.

Kali Biru was quite busy with both domestic and foreign tourists before the COVID-19 pandemic, considering that visiting this destination only takes 30 minutes from Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat Regency.

Kali Biru is a river destination in the middle of a very beautiful wilderness. I have visited several river destinations in Indonesia, but Kali Biru Raja Ampat is more unique because the water that flows from a distance looks blue", said Ranny, a tourist from Jakarta who was met at the destination, Saturday.

In addition, she said, the forest in the Kali Biru Raja Ampat destination area is still natural, well maintained, to provide coolness for every visitor.

"I hope that the local community will maintain the Kali Biru tourist destination, especially the forest area that is so green with trees so that it remains sustainable for all time", she said.

Kali Biru Raja Ampat was visited by many tourists before the COVID-19 pandemic because transportation to this destination was easy and close to Waisai, the capital city of Raja Ampat Regency with adequate lodging facilities and affordable prices.