"Gonggong is a typical Tanjung Pinangs kind of shell that is not found elsewhere. So, hopefully, tourists, both domestic and foreign, will find it easy to remember," the mayor stated here on Saturday.
Surrounded by waters, Tanjung Pinang is rich in marine biota, including the rare "strombus turturella" shells, locally called Gonggong.
Such sea shells are usually processed into delicious foods, a cuisine Tanjung Pinang is famous for.
The rare Gonggong shells are expected to attract tourists both from the country and overseas, the mayor remarked.
"The economy continues to grow and Tanjung Pinang with its new travel destinations will also continue to grow," he underlined, adding that the locals strongly support the governments efforts to develop the city, especially in the tourism sector.
The people of Tanjung Pinang are very active in helping the government, especially in developing the creative economy sector as well as introducing and promoting local culture and foods.
Tanjung Pinang also continues to develop religious tourist sites, natural tourist destinations, cultural tourist objects and culinary tourism, the mayor stressed.
Currently, Tanjung Pinang hosts the Maritime Festival in the Riau Islands, organized as part of Sail Karimata 2016. The peak program of the Sail Karimata event was held on October 15 in Sukadana, West Kalimantan.
(T.B005/B/KR-BSR/S012)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
