Mentawai Tourism Through The Work On Surfing Event

The Government of Mentawai Islands has designed international surfing competition in there. The event will be held next year. Through the event will be
held next, will certainly be increasingly expand the marketing of nautical tourism in Mentawai, which is one of the best surfing locations in the world," said the Governor in Padang, Irwan Prayitno, Wednesday (15/2/2012).

He reveals the Mentawai's sea waves have become the target of foreign tourists from different parts of the country. So, he continued, the preparation of various support against this international competition should begin from now, so that there is no obstacle in the later implementation.

According to him, about the matter of inn or hotel not become any trouble, since accommodation can be on the cruise ship that have about 20 room. In addition, there are also resorts in the area.

He said, Mentawai Islands quite serious in execution of its tourist potential, evidenced by allocating budget worth Rp. 11 billion in 2012. According to Irwan, the development of the tourism sector can get in touch directly with the public economy, so that needs to be moved so that the progress is good.
"We encourage seriously the area that in developing the potential of tourism to boost the public economy in the area,".

The Head of Tourism Office Mentawai Islands, Desti Saminora, confirmed separately, mentioned the Mentawai already prepared the international event. Saminora revealed the sea waves in Mentawai just like "gold mine" for the land area of West Sumatra.

Therefore, the management continued to maximize and contribute to the regional income. Mentawai waves quite famous for world class surfers, because its height is almost six feet which quite engrossing for lovers of water sports.
"Not worked yet to maximum for this, because the infrastructures are still limited, like hotel for lodging and adequate transportation," said her.

Mentawai Islands not only famous with its potential challenging waves for surfers, but also a tour destinations for diving. In addition, there are forested area in Taman Nasional Kerinci Sebelat /TNKS (Kerinci Sebelat National Park) which still awake and keep the flora and fauna.

Thus, gradually made improvements starting with building a fisherman's  tourism-conscious-village, so forward the public houses can be used as lodging.
"We need the support from provincial government and the central government as well as the perpetrators of tourism for the acceleration of infrastructure improvements and build the public awareness," said the Desti.

In addition to the Mentawai, in 2012 some regions in West Sumatra allocate a large budget for tourism sector. One of them is worth Rp. 2 billion of Sawahlunto.


source : http://travel.kompas.com/read/2012/02/16/12082896/