Belitung’s Transformation from a Mining Area to Idyllic Tourist Destination in Indonesia

KOMPAS.com – The idyllic island of Belitung in eastern Sumatra transformed itself from a mining area to a picturesque tourist destination in Indonesia.

While its transformation was not easy, it has paid off for residents of the island.

This year, Geopark Belitung on the island of Bangka Belitung was nominated for the UNESCO Global Geopark 2020 spot though it did not obtain the status.

The island is surrounded by 17 geoparks with its own charm and attractive value.

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Belitung’s Juru Sebrang geo-site was once the site of a tin mining area while the magnificent Batu Baginda boasts thick, luscious forest surroundings.

Belitung’s many natural attractions have become increasingly sought-after by domestic and international tourists eager to explore other tourist destinations in Indonesia.

This tourism-driven approach on the island has also boosted the local economy even though locals were hesitant at first prior to partaking in the area’s transformation.

“When we started, many of the locals were not able to see that tourism was their path to a new economy. The transformation has been relatively successful. Some residents started as miners or granite collectors, but are now business players in Indonesia’s tourism sector,” said Deputy Regent of Belitung Isyak Meirobie.

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Isyak added that Belitung’s residents who were once involved in the mining sector were not aware of tourism activities prior to the government’s plans.

A tourism sector for the environment and local youths

Members of the public who are involved in turning Belitung into a tourist destination in Indonesia are passionate about advancing Indonesia’s tourism sector.

Such passion is felt the most by the newer generations of the island’s youths. Isyak said local youths are aware that sustainable tourism can secure Belitung’s future.

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Several tourism-related festivals have been held throughout the area such as the Rambutan Fiesta Festival in January 2020.

“The festival helped improve their income status. Farmers and locals have far better income from it than in the past.”

Working hard for a UNESCO status

Isyak said that the regional government has been hard at work in attaining the UNESCO Global Geopark status which will convene in Paris, France in November 2020.

The Deputy Regent is confident in Belitung’s chances of obtaining the UNESCO status as the government and society have demonstrated their commitment to preserving nature and what they have been given.

The tourist destination in Indonesia currently boasts an international airport, the Tanjung Kelayang special economic zone, and a strategic national tourism area, however, Isyak asserts that it now needs a UNESCO-endorsed geopark.

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Although Belitung did not succeed at its first global geopark attempt, said Yuspian, Chairman of the Belitung Geopark Development Agency. The decision only means that the island has been given another chance to make progress for the next two years, the official added.

Within those two years, the government must make a progress report based on previous recommendations to be handed to the Indonesian National Committee for UNESCO as the country’s official representatives.

(Writer: Nabilla Ramadhian | Editor: Anggara Wikan Prasetya)

Source: https://travel.kompas.com/read/2020/09/25/123300027/transformasi-belitung-dari-tambang-ke-pariwisata?page=all#page2