Jakarta, (Antara) - Tourism Minister Arief Yahya has challenged Banyuwangi District in the easternmost tip of Java Island to become a leading tourism destination.
The challenge of the tourism minister is quite reasonable, as the district is known for its natural beauty, coupled with a variety of culinary and cultural attractions.
During a working visit this week to open direct flights on the Jakarta-Banyuwangi route and to inaugurate the four-star El Royale Hotel, Yahya said Banyuwangi should be a leading tourism destination, with a target of attracting 100 thousand foreign tourists by 2019.
"Tourism is the fastest way to turn the economy. There have been many theories, and the evidence also exists. Now, we are promoting tourism, and next month, tourists will certainly come," the tourism minister noted.
With direct flights from Jakarta to Banyuwangi and the four-star El Royale Hotel being opened, Yahya expressed hope that more local and foreign tourists will visit Banyuwangi.
In the meantime, Banyuwangi District Head Abdullah Azwar Anas said he positively welcomed the challenge of the tourism minister to make the district a leading tourism area.
Anas explained that several tourism development steps are currently underway, including the construction of a marina that can accommodate 40 yachts, restaurants and eco parks, and boat yards.
"We will continue to develop the tourism supporting facilities. For instance, now, we have 3,571 hotels in Banyuwangi, including the four-star El Royale Hotel. Next year, we will construct one other four-star hotel, one three-star hotel, and one based on a resort concept," Anas remarked.
The Banyuwangi district head explained to Tourism Minister Afrief Yahya that a number of steps to develop tourism is underway, including the proposal to build a sky-way cable car in the area of Ijen Crater which is still in the process of licensing from the central government.
Compared with road vehicles, cable cars are environmentally friendly, convenient, and economical.
Introducing cable cars in the area of Kawah Ijen can provide a new perspective for viewing scenery and enjoying recreational activities, enabling tourists to appreciate unique natural views and scenery from the air.
Hence, cable car construction plan has been proposed by Azwar Anas to concurrently develop the tourism market and address environmental protection concerns.
This proposed Kawah Ijen sky-way cable car is a great way to get to the crater of Mount Ijen, and if materialized, the cable car ride will offer breathtaking views.
When completed, that sky-way cable car will take the tourists through the overarching mountains to the crater of Ijen at the
2,443 meters above the sea level.
Kawah Ijen is a tourist attraction in Banyuwangi, which is already widely known by local and foreign tourists because of its stunning natural beauty.
Every day Ijen Crater area is never empty of visitors. On a typical day the number of visitors can be hundreds of people, and on weekends and holidays it can reach thousands of people.
Along with the increasing popularity of Ijen Crater, the number of visitors, both local and foreign tourists, continues to increase every year.
With the establishment of the Ijen Crater region as a biosphere reserve by Unesco in march 2016, and with incessant government promoting as a mainstay tourist destination, the charm of Kawah Ijen will be more famous and continue to attract local and foreign tourists.
Banyuwangi is increasingly in demand among travelers, including for the diverse needs of the Meeting, Incentive, Conference, Exhibition, and thus, the supporting facilities continue to be improved.
Every year, the number of tourists visiting Banyuwangi District continues to increase. They come, not only for travel but also to attend comparative studies and seminars.
Looking at the number of tourists who continue to arrive in Banyuwangi, District Head Abdullah Azwar Anas has noted that the tourism supporting facilities will continue to be improved.
He explained that in 2016, more than 24 thousand people from various government agencies across Indonesia had visited Banyuwangi for a comparative study, and until March 2017, thousands more from over 100 government and private agencies had arrived in the district.
"That figure does not include tourists who really want to vacation in Banyuwangi, which reached more than 75 thousand foreign tourists last year, not including domestic tourists whose numbers were much more," Anas remarked.
Banyuwangi is located in the easternmost tip of the island of Java, directly adjacent to Situbondo in the north, the strait of Bali in the East, and the Indian Ocean in the south.
Popular tourist attractions in Banyuwangi are the Red Island Beach, Ijen crater located at an altitude of 2,443 meters above sea level, with a depth of 200 meters, Teluk Hijau or Green Bay, and Tabuhan Island, among others.
The island is an ideal location for people who want to go scuba diving, as the waters are very clear.
The Lider Banyuwangi waterfall in Watu Dodol, Plengkung Beach, is another tourist attraction.
To be able to reach the Lider waterfall, visitors must travel 45 kilometers from the city of Banyuwangi.
Watu Dodol is located in the Ketapang Village, not far from Ketapang Port, and close to the main road leading to the Baluran National Park.
Visitors can enjoy the scenic Watu Dodol to witness the coastal area along the road, with hills on both sides.
The Plengkung Beach, which is ideal for surfing, is another renowned tourist attraction apart from the Red Island Beach in Banyuwangi.
The best time for surfing at Plengkung Beach is between May and mid-October.(*)
