PALANGKA RAYA – PROTOCOL AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATION BUREAU. The Culture and Tourism Office of Central Kalimantan Province held a Regional Work Meeting (Rakerda) on Culture and Tourism in Central Kalimantan in Palangka Raya, Thursday (02/13/2020). This Regional Work Meeting is considered important to discuss the implementation of various programs and activities as well as the obstacles and problems related to the development of Culture and Tourism including the Creative Economy in Central Kalimantan.

The concern of this meeting is tourism and creative economy which carry logical consequences as one of the priorities of cultural development. The logical consequences, among others, are a significant increase in development compared to the previous condition with the use of effective and efficient funds. This was conveyed by Central Kalimantan Governor Sugianto Sabran in a written speech read by the Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs and Development, Nurul Edy.

“Central Kalimantan in 2019 has made many achievements in the fields of culture, arts and tourism which will be maintained, improved and evaluated. I instructed all heads of regional government in district / city level to work hard, coordinate, synchronize, and strengthen programs to increase the quantity, quality of public services in the field of tourism in 2020,” said  Governor of Central Kalimantan.

Tourism has become one of the priority programs that can generate Regional Revenue (PAD), open up employment opportunities, and increase economic growth and public welfare.

The head of Culture and Tourism Office of Central Kalimantan Province, Guntur Talajan, presented several achievements and development in Central Kalimantan related to culture and tourism in 2019, including Central Kalimantan dancers involved in 24-hour nonstop dance action on World Dance Day in Solo, Dadas dance performed at the Presidential Palace for the Commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence, also Kereng Bangkirai Village and Sebangau National Park received the highest award from the Minister of Tourism, the Indonesian Sustainable Tourism Award 2019 (ISTA) which is an award from the Ministry of Tourism for the destinations that have implemented a sustainable tourism system.

This year’s meeting presented all Heads of Culture and Tourism Offices in Central Kalimantan with 60 participants. This meeting also presented the Head of Culture and Tourism of Central Kalimantan Province and the Head of Regional Research and Planning Agency of Central Kalimantan Province as guest speakers.

“At this Meeting, we will also arrange calendar events, both in districts / city, province, national and international levels. For national events, we have Isen Mulang Cultural Festival in Palangka Raya, Babukung Festival in Lamandau Regency, and Tanjung Puting Festival in West Kotawaringin Regency. While the international event was Wonderful Sail to Indonesia in Kumai, Tanjung Puting. In addition, in March, the King and Queen of the Netherlands will visit Palangka Raya,“ said Guntur Talajan. (win/eka/translated by feb)