Natuna, Riau Islands (ANTARA) – The Natuna Tourism Office in Riau Islands province is striving to attract more domestic and international travelers to the district this year, a local government official has said.To achieve this end, the tourism office has launched 31 programs, including the Natuna Geopark Festival, West Sumatra Yacht Rally, and Pantai Sisi Festival, head of the Natuna Tourism Office’s marketing division, Kardiman, said.

“The Pantai Sisi Festival has been initiated by the Serasan sub-district administrator as part of preparations for operating the integrated Serasan cross-border post,” he added here on Monday.

The 31 programs have not only been initiated by the government, but also by destination managements and local communities, he said.

Due to better conditions after the government’s revocation of public activity restrictions, Kardiman voiced the hope that the number of tourist arrivals would increase in 2023.

Last year, the district was visited by around 28,037 inbound tourists, including 57 foreign travelers, he informed.

The number of tourist arrivals has shown an upward trend. In 2021, a total of 20,816 visitors, including 51 foreigners, visited diverse tourist destinations in Natuna, he added.

NTARA reported earlier that in June 2022, the Natuna Tourism Office held an art and cultural event at Piwang Beach in Ranai sub-district as part of preparations for Natuna becoming a UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp).

According to Natuna’s village facilitator for the Cultural Advancement Program of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the director general of culture, Nurizam, the UNESCO Global Geopark status is significant for the district’s economic and tourism sectors.

s Indonesia’s outermost northern border islands, around 270 islands of Natuna district have an abundance of tourist resources for both domestic and foreign travelers.

These include white sandy beaches and underwater experiences for snorkeling and diving in the diverse and colorful coral reefs in the Natuna Islands’ waters.

In addition to tourism, the government has launched four other pillars for Natuna’s regional development: marine and fisheries, oil and gas industry services, marine environment, and defense and security. (INE)

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Source: Antara News Agency