Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung (ANTARA) - Bangka Belitung Islands have worked on partnership with 19 travel agents and media to promote the province's tourism, and explore tourist destination areas in the region.

"The cooperation with media and travel agents is expected to attract more domestic as well as foreign tourists to Bangka Belitung," an official of the province's Tourism and Culture Office Fajri Djaga Hitam said here on Sunday.

He admitted that travel agents and media play a crucial role in developing tourism sector in the province.

Bangka Belitung Province has three Special Economic Zone (KEK) namely Tanjung Gunung in Central Bangka, Tanjung Kelayang in Belitung, and Bangka Eastern Coast.

"This year we will hold three national events namely Bangka Culture Wave, Tanjung Kelayang Festival, and Toboali City on Fire," he added.

According to Hitam, Bangka Belitung administration has focused on the development of marine tourism.

"We are optimistic the cooperation with travel agents and media will optimize the local government's program to shift (its focus) from mining sector to tourism," he said.

"We are ready to partner with travel agents and media to hold national as well as international events," Hitam said.

Translator: Aprionis, Sri Haryati
Editor: Eliswan Azly
Copyright © ANTARA 2019