The Raja Ampat Regency Government recently launched an electronic book (e-Book) titled “Tourism Ethics in Raja Ampat, West Papua,” on Wednesday (16/10), which is an anticipatory step towards the various benefits and impacts of the development of the tourism sector. This 44-page book containing tourism ethics in Raja Ampat is a conservation step for tourist destinations to preserve its natural wealth and beauty, and was launched by the local government in collaboration with development partners and environmental organizations such as Conservation Indonesia.
The launch of the book coincided with the opening of the Raja Ampat Charm Festival by the Acting Regent of Raja Ampat, Anhar Akib Kadar, and contains guidelines on the code of conduct that everyone must adhere to while visiting this famous Indonesian tourist destination, regarding what is allowed and what is not, or anything that must be understood and followed, preserved, and maintained by tourists and other tourism stakeholders.
The rules contained within it include general tourism rules in Raja Ampat, such as in birdwatching activities, coconut crab observation, and during scuba diving and snorkelling. Not only that, the book includes rules regarding specific tourist attractions, such as the Manta Sandy diving site, the jellyfish lake on Misool Island, the Pyainemo area and peak, waterfalls, and Wayag.
The Regional Secretary, Dr. Yusuf Salim, representing the Acting Regent of Raja Ampat, stated that this book is not only intended for tourists but also for the local community and stakeholders active in the Raja Ampat area.
“Not only for tourists, but also for the community, they can rely on this book in the activities they engage in.” Of course, one of the goals of this book is to invite both local and outside communities to help preserve the natural wealth here in Raja Ampat. “Because actually preserving nature is our collective responsibility,” he said in a release received by CNNIndonesia.com.
According to the Coordinator of the Raja Ampat Working Unit from the Kupang National Marine Conservation Area Center (BKKPN), Indri Widhiastuti, the presence of this book can encourage responsible tourism and consider the impact of community and tourist activities.
Regarding the electronic book on Tourism Ethics in Raja Ampat, here are some rules that are highly emphasized for anyone visiting the island.
1. Prohibited from conducting transactions in any form related to all protected Flora and Fauna (FF)
2. Prohibited from engaging in shooting and/or hunting activities for any reason or purpose
3. Prohibited from touching and/or chasing or any other actions that may disturb wildlife, including coral
4. Prohibited from littering and REQUIRED to take all waste brought in any form from the tourist location back to Waisai City or Sorong City
5. Prohibited from committing acts of vandalism
6. Prohibited from uprooting and/or cutting and/or moving, or any other actions that may damage and/or alter the natural condition in Raja Ampat.
These are some general tourism rules that you must follow in the Raja Ampat tourist destination area. Other rules related to ethics in activities and interactions with objects in Raja Ampat are also available in four languages: Indonesian, English, French, and Mandarin.
West Papua Now 