TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Selayar Islands is one of the regencies in Indonesia that has amazing marine tourism potential. Blue sea and white sand are easy to find on this island in South Sulawesi.

The Regency Culture and Tourism Agency planned to develop 10 marine tourism potentials by prioritizing local wisdom. “The ten tourist destinations have their own uniqueness which is very suitable for diving, snorkeling, swimming, or fishing,” said the agency’s head of marketing Sri Nurnaningsih on Tuesday, January 11.

The ten marine tourism destinations are Takabonerate, Bahuluang Island, Pasi Gusung Area, Baloiya Beach, Punagaan Beach, Pinang Beach, Bonetappalang Beach, Pa'badilang Beach, Tamamelong Beach, and Karang Indah.

Takabonerate, for example, offers a stunning marine park, which is located between a group of coral islands, presenting remarkable underwater scenery.

Bahuluang Island, meanwhile, is a small land in the ocean that is formed by joint broken corals carried by currents. There, tourists can enjoy the beautiful natural panorama with clusters of rocks and white sand.

The agency secretary Dewi Marwiyah said that apart from maritime potential, the district is also rich in cultural, traditional, historical, and tourist village potentials. “After adapting to the new normal, tourist destinations will be promoted again while still paying attention to health protocols,” Dewi said.

By reopening tourist destinations in Selayar Islands, Dewi added, it was hoped to help accelerate the economic recovery due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read: Traumatic Event of 1992 Tsunami Still Haunts Selayar Islanders

ANTARA