Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Antaranews) - South Kalimantan government will immediately establish the Tourism Promotion Board (BPPD) in charge of promoting it tourism.
Head of South Kalimantan Tourism Agency, Mohandes, when confirmed by Antaranews here on Tuesday, said the board is waiting for approval of the Governor, Drs H Rudy Ariffin.
"The head of the board has been selected, feasibility tests have been done and now awaits the approval of the Governor. When all that is done then office will immediately be opened," said Mohandes.
Establishment of the new institution is mandated by the law of tourism. So, it is not only in South Kalimantan alone but must be in all provinces and districts/cities in Indonesia.
The board later assisted by the agencies or organization involved in promotion of tourism, such as tourism lovers group, Indonesian Guides Association (HPI), Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), ASITA, Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), aviation business, and other concerned parties.
"We hope that with these institutions the presence of South Kalimantan tourism increasingly known by people of the archipelago and the world," said Mohandes.
He said tourism needs more vigorous promotion to be more widely known, such as the river tourism, river culture in South Kalimantan, including floating market, adventure tours to Meratus wet tropical forests.
Then shopping to Martapura jewel market, traditional diamond panning, culinary, cultural as well as a variety of local specialties all of which require a vigorous campaign which is expected to eventually target a growing number of tourists coming to this region.