Papua has a number of tourism objects that have the potential to be developed further, such as Sentani Lake and Yoboi village in Jayapura district, said deputy KONI chairman for foreign affairs, media, and public relations, Chris John, quoted by the website infopublik on Monday.
"It's a shame if stakeholders in Papua don't use the Papua PON for the sake of tourism progress. One of them (destinations with a tourism potential) is Sentani Lake," John said while taking a tour of Lake Sentani on the Foi Moi Ship on Sunday.
Some steps that can be taken to promote tourism include making banners or guidebooks for tour packages in Papua, he suggested.
"The Tourism Office in Papua, especially in Jayapura, needs to maximize tourism potential for Papua PON participants," he said.
Athletes at the Papua National Games will have a high interest in traveling given Papua's natural charm, he conjectured.
"Of course, athletes at the Papua PON will not immediately return to their area (of origin), and this could be an opportunity for tourism players," he said.
John said that through professional management, tourism in Papua could greatly impact the public economy.
"People around Sentani Lake will also feel the improvement in (terms of) welfare if the tourism potential can be maximized," he remarked.
Meanwhile, KONI Chairman Lieutenant General Marciano Norman said he expects the Papua National Games to push the development of sports tourism in the province.
Papua province has great potential for sports tourism, he remarked.
The Papua PON will be officially opened by President Joko Widodo at the Lukas Enembe Stadium, Jayapura district on October 2, 2021.
The multi-sports event will be held in Jayapura District, Jayapura City, Mimika District, and Merauke District. A total of 6,496 athletes and around 3,300 officials are scheduled to participate in the event, which will feature 37 sports, 56 sports disciplines, and 679 competitions.
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Translator: Dadan Ramdani, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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