Angsana Beach in one month could absorb thousands of tourists dominated by tourists from outside Tanah Bumbu, even lately visitors come from overseas.
The development of Tanah Bumbu District has skyrocketed compared to other regions, especially from its origin district Kotabaru. The rapid progress was inseparable from the results obtained from the earth's stomach, coal mining.


Even though it was only since April 8, 2003, it officially became the regency to separate from Kotabaru, Tanah Bumbu, with an area of 5,066.96 km and a population of 267,913 people catching up, even able to advance from other districts in developing the region.

By utilizing the natural "black gold" (coal), the total regional income and expenditure budget (APBD) of Tanah Bumbu competed with advanced districts and cities. It was obtained from profit sharing and income from managing coal mines.

But the economic crisis coincided with government policies related to coal, causing coal companies to stop activities one by one. Initially, hundreds of companies actively exploited to meet domestic and foreign needs, now can be counted on the fingers.

Revenue from sharing continues to shrink, coupled with the reduction in transfers from the central government. This condition forced Tanah Bumbu to find a breakthrough and innovation to get new sources of income.

One of the steps taken to get funds to finance development is to utilize the potential of tourism, both natural tourism, marine tourism, and cultural tourism.

By prioritizing local wisdom, the Tanah Bumbu Government hopes to get the revenue coffers from the tourism sector. However, local governments remain aware that building the tourism sector is not as easy as turning the palm, it requires time, process, energy and a sizeable budget.

All of them can be overcome one by one with hard work, high discipline, and the involvement of all stakeholders.

The development of the tourism sector starts with preparing infrastructure, and facilities at tourist sites, to support increased visits by domestic and foreign tourists.

Pagatan Beach has long been known for its "Mappanretasi" maritime culture party which becomes its annual calendar. Said the Regent of Tanah Bumbu H. Sudian Noor, "The Mappanretasi held every April was able to absorb tens of thousands of local and foreign tourists."

Even Indonesian President Joko Widodo in April 2017 had visited Tanah Bumbu to watch the annual maritime tour.

While Angsana Beach has the charm of the beauty of coral reefs. Domestic and foreign tourists prefer to enjoy the beauty of their coral reefs by "snorkeling" .

Cooperate with private 

In order for tourism to truly become a money machine, the local government cooperates with the private to provide snorkeling equipment, so that visitors can rent at a price of around Rp30,000/person.

Angsana Beach in one month could absorb thousands of tourists dominated by tourists from outside Tanah Bumbu, even lately visitors come from overseas.

The beauty of the beach, coral reefs decorated with thousands of species of fish can be enjoyed by snorkeling or scuba diving.

Here visitors can also enjoy the beauty of nature in the middle of the sea by using a "banana boat".
 
Visitors can also enjoy the beauty of the beach with white sand using the "All Terrain Vehicle" (ATV) three-wheeled vehicle to get around the coast.

"The beach has natural beauty and has an attraction like Bunaken Beach or Raja Ampat in the Papua," said the regent.

In addition to coastal attractions, Tanah Bumbu has a "paradise" hidden behind the forest, namely the Mandin Damar waterfall in Mentewe Subdistrict.

The waterfall has a height of about 10 meters with a width of 15-18 meters. The waterfall is still surrounded by forests, so it is not widely known by the public and visitors.

The uniqueness of the waterfall, namely the water has not been contaminated by foreign objects, so that the water can be consumed directly.

World Heritage

About 39 Km from the city center of Batulicin, the local government also has a tourist attraction that has been developed several years ago, namely Liang Bangkai Cave.

The uniqueness of the cave was once inhabited by prehistoric humans around 3,000 BC (BC).

"There is strong evidence that the cave was once inhabited by prehistoric humans, namely the discovery of leftover food artifacts in the form of shells. Also found fragments of leftover household tools, and human skeletal artifacts," said the regent.

In addition, prehistoric archaeological researchers also found paintings in the cave.

Banjarmasin Archeology Center since 2006 conducted research in three villages in Mentewe Subdistrict, namely, Mentewe, Rejosari, and Bulurejo Villages.

Meanwhile, the Youth, Sports, Culture, and Tourism Agency will form a team for feasibility studies to make Liang Bangkai Hill and Sugung Cave a national cultural heritage site.

The Tanah Bumbu Government has also inaugurated the tourist attractions of Madani Beach, Tanjung Batu, Loban River and Wanasari Tourism Village, Subdistrict of Sungai Loban which is able to attract tourists to visit the festival of the archipelago culture.

"So many tourist objects, such as Angsana Beach, Rindu Alam Beach, Cemara Indah Beach, and Goa Liang Bangkai Beach, have become coffers of income," he said.

The Youth Sports, Culture, and Tourism Agency (Disporpa) recorded revenues of Rp104 million or around Rp18 percent of the planned target of Rp570 million.

 

Pewarta: Sujud Mariono
Editor : Mahdani

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