TEMPO.CO, Mataram - Head of Tambora National Park Budi Kurniawan predicts the number of climbers of Mount Tambora in 2017 is to reach more than 2,000 people. This figure increased significantly compared to the year before, when as many as 1333 people climbed the mountain.
According to him, the number of tourists who climbed Mount Tambora in the last two years continues to increase. The number of climbers during the period of January-July 2017 reached 800 people, both domestic and foreign climbers.
But if added with the number of climbers who commemorated the 72nd anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia on August 17, 2017, as many as 1,000 people climbed the mountain, the total climbers of Mount Tambora has reached 1,800 people during January-August.
"Usually in the new year holiday season, the interest of climbers is high, we are optimistic that the number of climbers of Mount Tambora in 2017 is more than 2,000 people," he said.
According to him, the increasing number of climbers is due to the effects of the promotion of natural tourist areas by central and local governments.
Moreover, the local government also has a routine agenda. The West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government together with Dompu and Bima Regencies hold a Tambora Festival regularly every year. This is done in order to increase the number of tourist visits to the island of Sumbawa, especially Tambora National Park.
"It could be that the increasing number of climbers are significantly impacted from the Tambora Festival," Budi said.
Budi said as the tourist interest of climbing Mount Tambora increases, the supporting facilities will be improved.
The facility that needs attention is a decent retreat for climbers. The location must be equipped with facilities of bathing, washing and toilet facilities (MCK), as well as landfills.
The effort to build and organize the climbing route is done by BTNT together with the Nusa Tenggara Barat Tourism Office and Dompu and Bima Districts. In addition, with other relevant parties.
"We have learnt from the current condition of Rinjani to not let the national park become a garbage dump by climbers," said Budi.
Tambora National Park is located in Dompu and Bima Regencies, Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara.
ANTARA
