TOURISM SET AS PRIORITY FOR SOUTH SUMATRA'S DEVELOPMENT by Fardah

  Palembang, S Sumatra, July 30, 2015 (Antara)- South Sumatra Province has several tourism attractions that have the potential to further develop its economy.

        Some three million tourists visited South Sumatra last year, and the province has set a target to attract five million tourists this year.
   The province is intensifying efforts to develop its tourism industry in a bid to boost its economy and improve the public's welfare.

        Tourism just needs better management and will not deplete like natural resources, Irene Camelyn Sinaga, the acting head of the South Sumatra provincial cultural and tourism office, stated in Palembang, on July 29, 2015.

         The South Sumatra administration is optimistic that the province's beautiful natural panorama, abundant cultural attractions and historical remains can lure many domestic as well as foreign tourists.

         For instance, the scenic Mount Dempo has the potential to attract foreign tourists.  The Musi River is the most interesting landmark in South Sumatra and has become a tourism icon of the province.

         The annual Triboatton competition and several international sports events frequently organized in the province are expected to help promote the province's tourism at home as well as overseas.

         South Sumatra is now gearing up to host the Asian Games in 2018, the largest sports event in Asia, in which some 48 Asian nations will participate.      
   During a visit to Palembang on July 29, 2015, State Enterprises Minister Rini M. Soemarno affirmed that her ministry will accelerate the development of infrastructure projects in South Sumatra in a bid to support the implementation of the Asian Games.

         Furthermore, France has pledged to provide a grant worth Rp750 billion to develop an information technology system for Palembang, which is striving to become a "smart city" prior to the implementation of the Games.

        Cofely Ineo President Director Erick Bric Bruder in a meeting with Palembang's acting mayor, Harnojoyo, recently stated that his country is assisting Jakarta and Palembang as the co-hosts of the Asian Games 2018, which will have the participation of thousands of athletes.

        The smart city information technology system will be immensely beneficial for the two cities while organizing the Games, he pointed out.

        In the meantime, the Palembang municipal administration has invited the private sector to participate in the city's tourism development activities.

         "It is difficult to rely on the government's funds, which are very limited. Meanwhile, the government wants to accelerate the construction of development projects. The most realistic strategy is to invite the private sector to participate in the projects," Sudirman Teguh, an expert staff of the Palembang municipality administration, stated.

        He cited infrastructure, human resources and regulations as the three factors that could affect tourism development.
   Tourism-related regulations pose no problem as the tourism sector and creative economy have become the priority for the city's development, he remarked.

        With regard to human resources, he hoped that the residents of Palembang would increase their knowledge about the city's tourism attractions and help promote them.

         Concerning infrastructure, the city will invite third parties to develop additional infrastructure needed to boost tourism, such as the construction of more hotels.

          Palembang city has the potential to develop religious, culinary, shopping, and historical tourism attractions.

         The city administration is currently mulling over a greater icon than just the Ampera Bridge, which was constructed in April 1962 and stretches 1,177 meters in length and 22 meters in width.

         The Musi River is expected to become the first river tourist attraction of its kind in Indonesia.        
      Palembang is promoting the Musi River - the longest river in Sumatra stretching over 750 kilometers - as a tourism icon, in cooperation with state-owned enterprise PT Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).

         PT ITDC has considerable experience in tourism development and promotional activities, including in Nusa Dua, Bali, and Mandalika, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

          The company will bear the expenses to develop tourism along the Musi River. It plans to construct a five-star, 20-storey hotel near the river, which will cost some Rp200 billion .

        Palembang is also aiming to attract Malaysian businessmen to invest in the city's tourism industry due to their geographic proximity and close emotional ties.

         "A daily direct flight operates from Palembang to Malaysia and vice versa, with a flight duration of only an hour," Sudirman noted, hoping that Malaysian investors would grab the promising investment opportunities.  
   Palembang shares a historical familiarity with other Asian countries, considering how its population comprises people of numerous races such as Chinese, Arabs and Malay.

          In the middle of the Musi River, there is a unique isle known as Kemaro Isle, where there is Chinese temple. It honors a legendary love story between a Chinese prince, Tan Bun Ann, and a princess of Palembang, Siti Fatimah.

          The Musi River is also known to have numerous species of fish that attract foreign researchers to study them.  
    There are 221 species of fish in the Musi River, one of which is the famous belida fish that is almost endangered.
   ***1***
(f001/INE/O001)
 30-07-2015 11:52:24