The Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) of Donggala district, Central Sulawesi, is optimistic that Donggala will become a national tourist destination following the national capital (IKN) transfer from Jakarta to East Kalimantan.
“The natural destinations in Donggala can become magnets to pull in tourists from the regions, nation, and overseas,” Donggala HIPMI head Masrifan R Mochsen said in here on Thursday.
He made the statement in response to news of the House of Representatives’ approval to ratify the National Capital Bill (RUU IKN) into law at the 13th plenary meeting of the 2021–2022 period.
He said the national capital transfer will automatically relocate human resources that will influence the new state capital residents’ dependence on tourism objects.
As Donggala is close to East Kalimantan, it will be a buffer that feeds the tourism and culinary needs of the new capital’s residents, Mochsen explained.
“The distance between Donggala and East Kalimantan via air is only about an hour. With the close distance, Donggala is a choice for weekend destination,” he added.
Moreover, he pointed out, Donggala has several natural attractions such as beaches, seabeds, and mountains. Its culture and cuisine are also noteworthy, he added.
Therefore, he affirmed, the declaration of Donggala as a tourism city needs to be followed up by revamping and improving the quality of the destinations.
There are at least 48 natural attractions in Donggala that are targeted to be restructured and improved to boost regional income and the community’s economy, he noted.
The Donggala Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association is willing to develop the potential of the tourism sector in Donggala by promoting and providing access to tourism sites, he said.
If developed properly, the tourism sector will have a direct impact on people’s welfare, while opening up new economic opportunities for locals, thus reducing unemployment rates, according to Mochsen.
Source: Antara News