TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Banda Aceh has been seriously developing Islamic tourism destination by partnering with some tourism players for its promotion. One of them is by collaborating with Asia Pacific Travel Association (PATA), with Malaysian tourists as their primary target.

Head of Cultural and Tourism Department Banda Aceh, Fadhil, said with the free visa application for 30 countries to enter Indonesia is a great opportunity to develop better tourism. “Later on, PATA will be selling Islamic Tour that exist in Banda Aceh to its network,” Fadhil said on Monday, March 23.

According to Fadhil, Aceh has tons of Islamic civilization of the past that is worth selling. Sites with royal tombs and mosques eligible to become tourist attractions.

Community life is also rich with Islamic values that are interesting to learn and enjoy. One of them is the cultural celebration to commemorate the birth of Prophet Mohammed that is massively celebrated in Aceh. There is also a site from the tsunami remaining.

In 2015, Banda Aceh Tourism Department targets an increase of 36% in tourist visit. Last year, 236,042 people were accounted, including domestic and foreign tourists. The number of travelers showed a rising trend since the Visit Banda Aceh year 2011 was proclaimed.

With the Islamic tour promotion, more Malaysian and other moslem tourists are expected to visit. “There has been many Malaysian tourists visiting Aceh,” said Riski, a merchant in Pasar Atjeh gift center, Banda Aceh.

Along 2014, the Central Bureau of Statistic recorded that most foreign tourists visiting Banda Aceh and Aceh came from Malaysia, with 18,893 people from the total of 26,0000 foreign tourists.

Developing Islamic tour destinations in Banda Aceh is considered appropriate. Because Aceh has long run Islamic law as one of the specialfeatures of the region that had been hit by conflict and tsunami. “Other than that, the natural beauty of Aceh including the ocean and beach, is worth visiting,” Riski said.

ADI WARSIDI