REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DOMPU -- President Joko Widodo emphasized on the importance Mount Tambora National Park in West Nusa Tenggara, stating that it was an asset that must be preserved and developed to benefit local people.
He made the statement on Saturday while attending the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the explosion of Mount Tambora and the launching of Mount Tambora National Park in the Doro Ncanga savannah in Dompu district, West Nusa Tenggara.
The president ordered local people to preserve and look after the region well to turn it into an ecotourism destination.
"I want you to preserve it and ensure that no one damages it," he told the people.
Jokowi also hopes that the Tambora Festival is organized as an annual event to bring more added value to national tourism.
"I wish this event is held every year to promote tourism in Bima and Dompu. The Tambora Festival must be held annually with funding from the central government so that all know where Dompu, Bima and West Nusa Tenggara are, as well as where Indonesia is," he remarked.
Moreover, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya had earlier said that the Mount Tambora ecotourism area in Dompu district in West Nusa Tenggara can serve as the engine of tourism development in the region.
"I believe it can work like that, and that the Tambora Greet the World event has successfully attracted national and world attention. Hopefully, it will become an annual event," he noted while reviewing the preparations made for the Tambora Festival in the Doro Ncanga savannah on Friday evening.
He added that in the future, Lombok Island and West Nusa Tenggara would be among the chief tourist destinations in Indonesia like Bali and other locations.
"This year, we believe one million people will visit West Nusa Tenggara," Yahya pointed out.
The minister observed that tourism development in West Nusa Tenggara will continue to progress, especially after President Joko Widodo expressed his commitment, while visiting the Mandalika special zone in the district of Lombok Tengah, to extend state capital to the Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation.
"The news on Mandalika is good. The ground breaking will be carried out in August, and President Joko Widodo has promised an additional Rp1.8 trillion for its development," he affirmed.
In addition, Yahya is of the view that the government must promote both tourism and infrastructure development in the region, and hopes that it will continue to be done.
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