PAPUAAROUND – Teluk Wondama Regent Hendrik Mambor stated that his area is ready to become the center of a major tourism destination in West Papua Province to replace Raja Ampat Regency which is now part of Southwest Papua Province.
“We in Teluk Wondama Regency are ready to replace Raja Ampat’s position as the main tourism area in West Papua Province,” said Hendrik Mambor, in Yembekiri, Rumberpon District, Sunday.
He said Wondama Bay has advantages over several other districts in West Papua Province.
In addition to natural beauty, unique culture and local wisdom, as well as charming landscapes, the location of Teluk Wondama Regency which is close to Manokwari as the capital city of West Papua Province is an added value that makes it worthy of becoming a new tourism center in West Papua to replace Raja Ampat.
“Indeed, there have been several offers from several regencies, but they are far away, you have to go by ship and plane and go a long way. The closest to the capital city of West Papua Province is Teluk Wondama Regency. We must be ready to replace Raja Ampat. That is my target with the Deputy Regent,” said the former Head of the Wondama Bappeda.
Teluk Wondama Regency since its inception in 2003 has established tourism as one of the leading sectors.
Wondama does have natural tourism potential, especially beaches and a group of beautiful islands, similar to Raja Ampat. These include the Auri Islands in the Roon District, as well as Puruf in the Rumperbon District, which are often visited by foreign tourists.
Including the one that is already worldwide is the Cenderawasih Bay National Park (TNTC), which is the largest marine park in Indonesia. Three quarters of the TNTC area is included in the administrative area of Teluk Wondama Regency.
Don’t miss the spiritual tour of the Aitumeiri Civilization Stone site in Miei, Wasior which is a Christian religious site which is considered a historical site for Papuans.
“Every year thousands of people come (local and foreign) to pray or tour the Miei Civilization Stone,” said Mambor.
It’s just that, said Mambor, to advance tourism in Wondama Bay, the local regency government needs the support and involvement of many parties, both the central government, West Papua Provincial Government, investors and indigenous peoples themselves as the main actors of tourism so that they don’t just become spectators.
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