West Papua’s nature has a charm that spoils tourists. With the leading tourist attractions in a number of districts, a number of related national and international events will be planned. According to Acting Head of the West Papua Provincial Government Tourism Office, Jacobus Basongan, a tourism calendar must be made in order to attract people to visit West Papua.
“We have set several leading destinations and that is indeed one of the steps to enable incoming transportation in the West Papua region,’ he said, Monday (14/10).
Examples of tourism draws include the beach tourism area in Kaimana, Mountain Tourism in the Arfak Mountains and Religious Tourism on Mansinam Island and Aitumeri in Wondama Bay Regency as well as mangrove tourism areas in Masina Village in Bintuni Bay.
“Events such as religious tourism on Mansinam Island, Manokwari Regency which also attracts visitors throughout Papua and the 100th anniversary of civilisation in Aitumeri in Wondama. Also the tourism that we have indeed boosted is the Manokwari national surfing activity in West Papua province 2024, which has become a routine event in West Papua Province,” he explained.
Other draws include the Mokwam area of Manokwari Regency, where birdwatching is also a routine for tourists depending on the season, since most of them do research and pay attention to the environment. In addition, several tourist attractions in other districts are also being promoted, each with an event that acts as a promotional medium for the region.
“For example, in Fakfak on 17-19 October there will be a Nutmeg Enchantment Festival, along with the Dusk Enchantment Festival in Kaimana. We will encourage this because it is an event that has just started from the beginning of the year,’ he said.
According to Jacobus, of these objects, some are targeted to be included in the national event calendar. That way, there is automatic assistance from the central government to improve West Papua’s tourism infrastructure.
“These are some of the events that we expect, as well as some from other districts. Like in Mansel with Chocolate Potential, it’s just that the district government has not been able to package it into an event,” he said.
Regarding Lake Anggi in Pegaf Regency, he continued, it needs sustainability because previously the provincial government had held an event, but until now there has been no follow-up from the local government.
“We hope that next year Lake Anggi can do an event from the district government to promote the region, by inviting national media, so that this can be a promotion for our region,” he said.
“Including Table Mountain, where we have made an MoU with West Papua BBKSDA so that we can manage Table Mountain. However, this falls under the authority of the Ministry of Forestry,” Jacobus concluded.
Gustaf Wanma, one of the residents who also belongs to a nature lovers’ group, said that Mount Kobrey at the peak between Anggi Gida lake and Anggi lake in Arfak Mountains Regency, has a natural charm that needs government attention.
Kobrey Peak is at an altitude of 2389 metres above sea level. At certain times, the area has temperatures of up to 13 degrees Celsius. At its peak visitors are spoilt with two large lakes in the Arfak Mountains Region of West Papua.
West Papua Now 