The Ministry Of PUPR Continues Strategy Area Arrangement In Wakatobi, Makes The Leading Tourism Destination

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) continues the arrangement of the Wakatobi National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN) to become a leading tourist destination in Southeast Sulawesi Province (Sultra).

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said that infrastructure development at each KSPN is planned in an integrated manner, both regional planning, roads, supply of raw water and clean water, waste management, sanitation, and community housing improvement through a master plan for infrastructure development.

"For tourism, first, the infrastructure must be improved, then amenities and events, then massive promotions. If that's not ready, tourists come once and will not come again. That's what we have to take care of right away," said Basuki, as quoted by Antara, Monday, January 1.

The Wakatobi tourist area has been designated as one of the Priority KSPN or 10 'New Bali' developed by the government based on Presidential Regulation Number 3 of 2016 in order to increase foreign exchange and investment from the tourism sector.

As an effort to support the development of the Wakatobi KSPN, the Ministry of PUPR through the Directorate General (Ditjen) of Cipta Karya from October 25, 2022 to November 26, 2023, through the World Bank loan fund worth IDR 96 billion which is focused on the arrangement of 4 tourist destinations, namely Puncak Toliamba, Sombu Dive, Lake Kapota, and Merdeka Square.

Puncak Toliamba offers beautiful views of the islands scattered around the Wakatobi archipelago from the Toliamba Plateau located in Waginopo Village, Wangi-Wangi District, Wakatobi Regency. The arrangement of Puncak Toliamba includes the construction of access roads, installation of public facilities, arrangement of MSME kiosks, cafes, plaza areas (open space) and landscape management.

Furthermore, the arrangement of Sombu Dive Beach, known for its underwater beauty, is one of the diving tourist sites located in Sombu Village, Wangi-Wangi District. Infrastructure support is carried out by the Ministry of PUPR in the form of the construction of tourism support facilities, such as piers, training pools, restaurants, souvenir kiosks, exhibition rooms and plaza areas (open spaces).

Then the arrangement of Lake Kapota or known as Lake Tailaronto'oge is not far from the coastline or about 400 meters. The Kapota Lake area provides educational tourism surrounded by mangrove trees. Support for facilities and infrastructure include the construction of ticketing areas, pedestrian paths, gazebos, and viewing towers.

Finally, the arrangement of the Merdeka Square is designed as a center for community activities with open spaces for various events. This area is equipped with open-stage facilities, lamba, local culinary kiosks, and landscape arrangement as well as pedestrians 6 meters wide.

Director General of Human Settlements Diana Kusumastuti said support for infrastructure management by all parties is a very important stage of the development of Wakatobi KSPN infrastructure.

"Hopefully the infrastructure that has been built can be directly utilized by the community with the support of supervision and maintenance from local governments. This is a tangible manifestation of our efforts to maintain the sustainability of the environment, culture and tourism," said Diana.

In addition to the 4 tourist destinations, the Ministry of PUPR has also prepared the arrangement of Phase II Wakatobi KSPN which is centered on the construction of Waterfront Marina and Keraton Liya infrastructure. This tourism area arrangement activity is a combination of modern tourism and historical preservation.