WAKATOBI DEVELOPMENT TO BE MAXIMIZED TO ATTRACT TOURISTS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, April 15 (Antara) - The Indonesian government has decided to accord priority to the development of 10 regions considered to have potential to attract foreign tourists, one of which is Wakatobi Park in Wakatobi District, Southeast Sulawesi.          Wakatobi Park in Southeast Sulawesi is one of the country's 50 national parks. It consists of four larger islands: Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko, as well as many smaller islands such as Tokobao, North Lintea, South Lintea, Kampenaune, Hoga, and Tolandono.          Wakatobi is also one of the 10 tourist destination regions accorded priority development so that they which will be in par with the country's tourist resort island of Bali.          However, recently it was reported that the development of Wakatobi does not live up to expectations.          Hence, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the local authorities to pay more attention to Wakatobi. The president himself will in the near future inspect it.          Southeast Sulawesi Governor Nur Alam stated that the president is scheduled to visit the tourist destination. "I just met Jokowi at the National Palace yesterday, and he has already stated that he will visit Wakatobi in the near future," Nur Alam said, after attending a discussion on Southeast Sulawesi Province, on Tuesday. At the meeting, the president paid special attention to the region, calling for its accelerated development.