Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - The National Committee for Sharia Economy and Finance (KNEKS) assessed that the Bekantan Research Station on Curiak Island, Barito Kuala District, South Kalimantan, has the potential to be developed into a leading Muslim-friendly tourism destination.
"The destination here is very suitable for the development of Muslim-friendly tourism, part of the halal industry of the Indonesian sharia economy," said KNEKS Halal Product Industry Director Afdhal Aliasar when visiting the station, Thursday.
He hopes that good and inspiring destination such as this proboscis monkey research station can develop, considering the potential for Muslim-friendly tourism in Indonesia is in fact very large.
"It needs to be looked at again, what needs to be developed, whether the accessibility or the experience for tourists," he said.
For funding sources, he encourages collaboration between the government and the private sector through CSR programs to support the development of destinations.
Afdhal said his visit to Curiak Island followed up the direction of Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, as Executive Chairman of KNEKS, to coordinate with the management of special interest tourism on Curiak Island which has close links with Muslim-friendly tourism programs.
"In principle, the government wants to increase, strengthen and speed up the growth of the national halal industry and product, one of which is the tourism sector," he added.
Founder of Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia (SBI) Amalia Rezeki admitted that she was ready to collaborate with KNEKS in the development of the Indonesian sharia economy halal industry through Muslim-friendly tourism.
"The Proboscis Monkey Research Station managed by SBI has developed into a popular destination, both for domestic and foreign tourists," said the researcher for the environmental doctoral candidate at Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM).
SBI Special Interest Tourism Development Director Ferina Fernanda said the Bekantan Research Station has its own place of worship, including culinary practices that apply halal principles.
"All the services we provide follow the rules of Muslim-friendly tourism. However, we really need the guidance and direction of KNEKS in developing halal tourism," she said.
The KNEKS, which is led by the president, consists of three coordinating ministers, seven ministers, three heads of government institutions, the General Chairperson of the MUI and the General Chairperson of the Kadin with the Minister of Finance as secretary.
The task of KNEKS is to increase the development of the Islamic economic and financial ecosystem and to make Indonesia the world's halal hub.
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