TEMPO.CO, Banyuwangi - Ahead of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, yesterday visited Alas Purwo National Park in Banyuwangi.

His visit was to review development of infrastructure development of the area. Luhut was accompanied by Banyuwangi Regent, Abdullah Azwar Anas.

The area has been designated as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO. It encompasses the Savana Sadengan as well as the Plengkung Beach.

"I want to see firsthand the progress of infrastructure development in Alas Purwo, Plengkung Beach—as they are two of the tourist destinations that will be offered at the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Group Annual Meeting of 2018, in Bali, in October," Luhut said as quoted from the release, Sunday, July 29.

Luhut said Alas Purwo has large potentials to be developed. The minister even said that the government will increase the budget to build infrastructure facilities in destinations favored by foreign tourists.

"Alas Purwo can be developed into a world-class destination," said Luhut, who is also Chairman of the National Committee of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting.

For infrastructure development in Alas Purwo National Park, the government has disbursed Rp20 billion. However, according to Luhut, the area needs more and so he promised that the budget will be raised.

Among other destinations to be offered at the IMF-WBG delegation is Ijen Crater. The government has also allocated a budget of Rp20 billion for infrastructure development in the area.

DAVID PRIYASIDARTA