Gov't Prepares Belibis Island as New Tourist Destination in West Sumatra

TheIndonesia.co - The governments at central and provincial levels are currently revitalizing Belibis island in West Sumatra as they plan to launch it as a new leading tourist destination in the province.

Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is preparing Belibis island, which is located in the city of Solok in West Sumatra as an ecotourism destination, and the revitalization is expected to improve and enhance the island to make it more attractive.

“We want to offer ecotourism, and watersports can be developed as well. It’s expected to drive economic recovery through business opening post pandemic,” Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said in a statement on Wednesday, April 13.

The island actually has sanctuary for the wandering whistling ducks (or belibis in Indonesia), but the bird’s population has been decreasing. And post-revitalization, the number of birds in the island is expected to increase, so it can invite more tourists.

Uno said the efforts to rebuild Belibis island are done by central government and West Sumatra provincial government, and the revitalization uses special allocation fund for tourism development in Solok amounting to Rp6.3 billion (US$450,000) set up by the Ministry.

Besides focusing on the island’s infrastructure, the government also promotes cultural events like the Rang Solok Baralek Gadang (People of Solok’s Big Celebration) that will be held on September 22-25. Uno suggested the event to display the local culture and wisdom in Solok and becomes its unique selling point.

“We assure that the event will accelerate our recovery momentum, and it will make an impact on employment,” Uno explained.

Solok mayor Zul Elfian said the city is ready to host the event and promise that his office will be “all out” to show off Solok’s art and culture.