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In Line Water Tourism
Phenomenon
The event that combines sports and cultural tourism has become
an accurate marketing strategy and at the same time actuating
the region in developing river and lake tourism
What is the obstacle in developing in line
water tourism in Indonesia?
River and lake management in many countries
in Europe has been regulated and laid-out. The in
frastructures are more organized and easy to care.
Indonesia needs different approaches. The devel
opment of river and lake tourism has already been
done in written instruction.
What is the way out?
The best way is to create agenda with news
value that will be the attention of the media. Those
two things can motivate the region to work to
gether to build river and lake tourism. Of course it
needs coordination between central and regional
government. In this case the role of mass media
is very important. Coverage on the process and
preparation of infrastructure can spur on the region
to bring target into reality.
I
NDONESIA possesses thou
sands of unexplored potential
fresh water tourism. There
are 5.950 drainage basins
and 1.575 lakes to benefit
as tourist attraction to improve
the people’s welfare and at the
same time arouse awareness on
nature rearing and preservation.
How to harmonize raising the
potential, marketing and preserva
tion awareness seems to be the
problem.
According to Sapta Nirwandar,
Deputy Minister of Tourism, the
three matters mentioned interrelat
ed. Many countries are developing
potential fresh water tourism which
is called in line water tourism. In line
with the Tourism Day theme held
on September 27th, Tourism and
Water: Protecting our Common
Future.
Following is part of the interview
between Destinasi Indonesia and
Sapta Nirwandar on potentials and
marketing strategy &promotion
related to in line water tourism.
Has this been done in the past?
Tour de Singkarak, an international scale bike
race, has proven this to be an effective way. The re
gent and his deputy always attend the coordination
meeting. On a certain level the meeting is attended
by the governor. Control is done by the media
through its coverage. Once there was an inspec
tion before the event and found out that one region
was not ready. As soon as it was in the news, in
marathon they finished the work. The event was
proven successful and the building of the support
ing infrastructure went smoothly. People can feel
the benefit right away.
Will the government hold this type of event
on river and lake?
This is the most effective way in promoting and
marketing the river and lake tourism and at the
same time to motivate the regional government
and customary society to move forward in building
and decorating their region. This is more effec
tive than just delivering instruction by the central
government.
What kind event is effective?
The combination of sport tourism and cultural
55
tourism, especially an international sports compe
tition can be a fast way to invite tourist. It has a
great news value to be covered by the media. We
can &V'&