REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUPANG -- The tourism sector remained a small contributor the regional income of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), which is rich in natural beauty, Bank Indonesia said.

Head of Bank Indonesia representative office for NTT Naek Tigor Sinaga the tourism sector contributed only 1 percent to the regional gross domestic products.

Naek said the province has big but yet untapped tourism potentials.

He pointed to the world wonder ancient animal Komodo on the island of Komodo.

There are also colorful Lake Kelimutu in Ende, Central Flores, Samana Santa in Larantuka , East Flores , he said.

The sea off the island of Pulau Lembata is known as a place for traditional whale hunting, he said, adding there is also traditional village on the island of Alor.

Naek was speaking at a 'Media Discussion" held by the Association of Indonesian Television Journalists (IJTI) here with theme "Role of Banks in Development of Small and Medium Enterprises, and in Supporting Tourism Development."

He said Bali is visited by 2.9 million foreign tourists a year, as against 880,000 visitors to East Nusa Tenggara and 1.9 million visitors to West Nusa Tenggara.

Meanwhile, the government has named five areas in East Nusa Tenggara as National Tourism Strategic Areas. Komodo in the regency of West Manggarai, Ende- Kalimutu, Alor-Kalabahi, Nemkberella on the island of Rote and Waikabubak-Manupeh Tanah Daru in the regency of Sumba Barat.

The problem in the areas , however, have yet to be solved about difficulty in transport and inadequate accommodation facility.

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