Menparekraf Makes Lake Sentani an Icon of Eastern Indonesia

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno plans to make Lake Sentani an icon of Eastern Indonesia.

This is in response to a request from the Regent of Jayapura Regency, Mathius Awoitauw. He said that for the sake of realizing the hopes of all Papuans, Sandiaga Uno could declare Sentani Lake as an icon of Eastern Indonesia.

Lake Sentani is considered to be built like Lake Toba, which is in the western part of Indonesia. "If in western Indonesia there is Lake Toba which is an Indonesian icon, we hope Lake Sentani can become an Indonesian icon in the eastern part of the archipelago," said Mathius.

Mathius' hopes were immediately answered by Sandiaga Uno, who confirmed that if he immediately declared Sentani Lake as an icon of eastern Indonesia.

"We are declaring Lake Sentani to be an icon of eastern Indonesia," said Sandiaga Uno in response to loud applause and shouts from the residents of Jayapura Regency.

This was revealed by Sandiaga when he visited the Yoboi Village Tourism Village, Jayapura Regency, Papua on Tuesday (21/9/2021).

During his visit, Sandiaga reminded that the natural wealth and cultural diversity in Papua are the capital of the community's economic revival.

Through the literacy presented in Jayapura Regency, the recovery of the tourism sector and the creative economy (parekraf) is able to be the answer to the expectations of the Papuan people.

He, who was accompanied by his wife, Nur Asia, expressed his appreciation for the selection of the Yoboi Village Tourism Village as the 50 best tourist villages in Indonesia.

The village, which is located above Lake Sentani, is considered capable of presenting a unique experience for anyone who visits there.

This experience was also strengthened by the active participation of the community, especially mothers who took the initiative to build a Literacy Park in the Yaboi Village Tourism Village.

"We'll see some attractions, there is a sago festival and a Nutrition Garden. I was also very moved when I saw Mamah Hani with her Literacy Park,” said Sandiaga Uno.

"So this is local wisdom, there are educational tours as well as nature tours, and we also learn cultural tourism," he explained.

Through the right promotional strategy, he continued, the Yoboi Village Tourism Village and a number of other tourist villages in Papua Province could be better known.

In line with Mamah Hani's expectations, Sandiaga Uno believes that these tourist villages can become the main destinations for tourists, especially Indonesian tourists.

"Thank you and congratulations as the 50 best tourist villages, Rising Indonesia Tourism Village, opening the widest possible employment opportunities, moving the community's economy," said Sandiaga Uno.

"From these villages, the potential of the best tourist destinations in eastern Indonesia will be increasingly recognized by the public," he said hopefully.

The Regent of Jayapura Regency, Mathius Awoitauw said that the Yoboi Village Tourism Village is the only village in Papua Province that encourages Sagu Hamlet Tourism and Unique Village Tourism on the lake.

"All any activity takes place on the lake, starting from worship, school and others," said Mathius.

The election of the Yoboi Village Tourism Village as the top 50 best tourist villages in Indonesia, he said, was very proud of the community.

Because with extraordinary limitations, the Yoboi Village Tourism Village was selected in the 2021 Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) event.

"This is a challenge for all of us that limitations are not everything, but young people can create superior creativity in their own way," said Mathius.

"I'll be honest, they are going viral everywhere, it's not because of the city people, not by the government, but because they are all alone here," he said.

"And maybe this is the best way to develop Papua, not from the city, but from the village, giving valuable lessons for those who live in the city," Mathius hoped.

Therefore, his party calls on all Papuan children to return to their traditional villages. "We start from the village to build Papua," he added.

SOURCE: https://indonesiatimur.id/2021/09/22/menparekraf-jadikan-danau-sentani-ikon-indonesia-timur/