Jakarta, Aug 8 (Antara) - The Indonesian province of Lampung in the southern tip of Sumatra Island will organize the "Lampung Krakatau Festival (LKF) 2017" on Aug 25-27 to promote its tourism.
The festival takes the name "Krakatau," or Krakatoa, as a popular brand to make the event more attractive since Krakatau is a volcanic island situated in Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra. Krakatau has attracted global attention when it had erupted in 1883.
The name is also used for the surrounding island group comprising the remnants of a much larger island of three volcanic peaks obliterated in a cataclysmic 1883 eruption that unleashed huge tsunamis, killing more than 36 thousand people and destroying over two-thirds of the island.
Lampung is the original home of the Lampung people, who speak their own language and have their own script. Its capital is Bandar Lampung. The province had a population of about 9.5 million. Three-quarters of the current population of Lampung are the descents of migrants from Java, Madura, and Bali, according to Wikipedia.
Currently, Lampung is intensively carrying out economic development, including in its tourism sector, to boost the welfare of its people. As tourism is one of its potential economic sectors, the local government is making efforts to advance it.
Hence, the local government is planning to organize the three-day LKF.
"The Krakatau branding of the festival is apposite in strengthening the position of Lampung as a mainstay tourism destination on the tips of the Sumatra and Java islands. The name Krakatau is known worldwide following the devastating eruption of Krakatau volcano," Tourism Minister Arief Yahya noted during the launch of LKF 2017 in Jakarta on Monday (Aug 7).
The LKF 2017 is the 27th edition of the event to be organized this year and is themed "The Glory of Lampung Crown." It is expected to serve as an effective means to promote Lampung's tourism and increase the number of visitors to the province. The festival is expected to attract 30 thousand tourists and to reaffirm that Krakatau Island is within the jurisdiction of Lampung Province.
According to Minister Yahya, LKF 2017 is being organized in an effort to reinforce the 3As -- attraction, amenity, and accessibility -- elements in Lampung, such as the development of Pier 7 of the Bakauheni ferry port and the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road, which is expected to be completed in 2018. It is also expected to raise the status of Radin Inten II to an international airport.
"With the strengthening of the 3A elements, numerous tourists will visit Lampung. Moreover, its position is very strategic, as it is near the main market of Greater Jakarta and serves as the main gate in the southern tip of Sumatra," Minister Yahya remarked during the launch ceremony, which was also attended by Lampung Governor M. Ridho Ficardo.
According to Ficardo, Lampung must seize tourism opportunities. Hence, it is developing itself as a tourism destination and is ready to compete following the opening of greater access to tourists to the province.
"The LKF must serve as an interesting tourism attraction and a promotional event for Lampung as a tourist destination. It should consistently promote and preserve its original arts and culture. We set a target to attract 30 thousand tourists to the LKF this year," Governor Ficardo stated.
Lampung was visited by 6.8 million local tourists, contributing 2.7 percent to the total 255 million domestic tourists recorded in 2015. Foreign tourists visiting the province in the same year stood at 115 thousand, up from 95 thousand in 2014.
The governor said that during the festival, Lampung, with its cultural, natural, and manmade tourism potentials, will introduce its mainstay tourist destinations, such as the Pulau Pahawang Island, Teluk Kiluan Bay, Putri Malu Waterfall, and Way Kambas National Park, to tourists.
Attractions to enliven the festival include a kite flying event, Krakatau exploration event, colorful culture show, and an investor summit. Tourists can join the tour of Anak Krakatau and observe beach fests at several beaches, such as the Pulau Tangkil beach and Mutun beach in Pesawarn District.
Lampung has 64 waterfalls and seven national parks, notably Way Kambas, Bukit Barisan Selatan, Teluk Kiluan, Tanjung Setia and Krui Marine Tourism Park, Menara Siger Tower, Gunung Anak Krakatau Volcano and Pulau Sebesi Island, and Bandarlampung City Park.
The LKF 2017 will feature several events as part of the main agenda, such as the Bumi Ruwa Jurai Charm events, which include the LKF 2017 opening ceremony, tourism expo, Lampung culinary festival, arts and cultural performances, photo exhibition, and traditional children's games of the archipelago.
The Krakatau Tour will offer a historical tourism trip to observe Krakatau that had erupted on August 26, 1883.
During the festival, the organizers will also hold the Lampung Culture and Tapis Carnival that will showcase the diversity of the province's local cultures through a parade during which visitors will be able to witness the glory and richness of Lampung's cultures and customs. ***1*** (A014/INE) EDITED BY INE |
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