REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PADANG -- Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya, observed Mandeh tourist area in the South Coast, West Sumatra. He saw immediately that this marine tourism area has beauty which not less than Raja Ampat.

According to Arief, this area has very high potential for marine tourism, so it deserves to become a Special Economic Zone (KEK) which based on three things.

First, it could be seen on attractiveness of tourist destinations. Mandeh region is a bay which covered by row of small islands on the circular position, as if the sea lake. It made a relatively calm sea waters and are rich in coral reefs and mangrove forests are still preserved. No doubt this region is referred to as "The Paradise of the South".

This region has the potential of coral reefs covering 70.32 hectares (ha), an area of 313.32 ha of mangrove, 21.23 ha of sea grass area, and 404.55 ha of biodiversity area. Not to mention the other tourist attractions such as the Banana River, Sikuai River, Pinang River, Pagang River, Nyalo River, Mandeh, Bubadak, Marak Island, Carocok and Batu Kalang.

This area also has the potential of culture in three villages that exist in the region as well as a diverse culinary tourism.

"So its value is A, very special," said Arief Yahya, on Saturday, May 16.

The second is accessibility. He said, to go to Mandeh region is relatively easy. From Minangkabau International Airport to the Mandeh tourist area, it can be reached by a distance of 56 kilometers.

"Tickets are also relatively cheap. Compared to Raja Ampat, to Mandeh in low season can be at a price of between 500 thousand IDR to 600 thousand IDR," he said.

The third is Amenities, potential for the development of accommodation and other support facilities are very large. That's why he was very supportive to made Mandeh tourist areas as Special Economic Zones (KEK).

"If we want Mandeh become KEK, it would be great. If the governor of West Sumatra wants, he can propose Mandeh to set as KEK," he said.

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