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IN ORDER to enter the new normal phase after the implementation of large-scale social restrictions, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries through the Kupang National Water Conservation Area, Directorate General of Marine Space Management prepared a new normal Raja Ampat tourism protocol with refer to the health protocol.
According to the Director General of Marine Space Management, Aryo Hanggono in Jakarta, he reminded that Raja Ampat Regency was initially introduced to the international community as an ecological tourism destination that did not implement mass tourism.
“Raja Ampat Regency has implemented sustainable tourism with the supporting documents of tourism activities at each tourism spot, tourism code of conduct, Raja Ampat mooring system, program to reduce plastic waste, Sasi Laut and exotic manta ray biota management, so it is important to maintain balance between economic activities and ecological activities of nature, culture and social conservation in the implementation of new normal tourism in Raja Ampat Regency,” Aryo noted.
Aryo also added that conservation efforts aimed at supporting tourism and tourism activities function as a sustainable funding mechanism of the conservation activities themselves so that the balance between the elements could be a concern in the implementation of new normal in Raja Ampat Regency.
Meanwhile, Head of Kupang National Water Conservation Area, Ikram M. Sangadji said that in the face of new normal tourism, a timeline for new normal tourism activities will be arranged which is scheduled to open in December 2020.
“General guidelines for new normal tourism include making new normal guidelines, making a one-stop system for Raja Ampat tourism, checking tourists at the airport/port entrance and digitizing the reservation system,” he said.
He added, besides that health infrastructure facilities would also be strengthened to support new normal tourism activities by developing health centers at the district level, strengthening integrated health centers within the region and preparing qualified medical and paramedical human resources.
Furthermore Ikram explained, the main principle of new normal tourism in the waters conservation area is to guarantee the implementation of tourism activities with the 4 principles of Health, Safety, Comfort and Satisfaction.
“New normal health protocols must be implemented in an integrated and consistent manner by all stakeholders. Kupang National Water Conservation Area has made a new normal natural tourism protocol in the waters of the national water conservation area which can be input in making a new normal tourism protocol in Raja Ampat,” Ikram said.
Raja Ampat needs to focus on limited tourism which prioritizes local people as beneficiaries of tourism activities and prioritizes tourism that does not damage the natural/cultural heritage of the Papuan people.
“This can be done by implementing a tourist permit operating in accordance with the carrying capacity document that has been prepared, implementing a mooring buoy system, tightening waste management regulations on ships, resorts and Waisai City and providing training to local communities to be better prepared to face guests,” he concluded.
The new normal tourism preparation in Raja Ampat was conveyed through a webinar by presenting relevant parties such as the Raja Ampat Regency Tourism Office, Conservation International, Fauna & Flora International, Indonesian Ecotourism Network, Nusantara Nature Conservation, etc. [sources/photo special]
