Selayar Islands set to compete with Bali, Raja Ampat in tourism

Benteng Selayar (Wikipedia)

South Sulawesi's Selayar Islands regency administration is set to collaborate with the Sampoerna Consortium Group to develop Selayar Islands as a leading destination for marine tourism, a destination on par with Bali and Raja Ampat.

A five-star hotel is planned for the regency in 2018 alongside a golf course and an international hospital.

“We hope the government can facilitate a meeting with global investors to support this program. What a shame it would be if this paradise is not developed to reach its maximum potential,” said Bambang Sulistyo of the Sampoerna Consortium Group.

Plans are also in store to revamp H. Aroeppala Airport in Selayar regency so that it can accommodate large aircraft by 2019.

“We have two things that we are focusing on for Selayar [Islands], namely [making it a] Special Economic Zone [KEK] and [holding] the Sail Takabonerate [event],” said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya.

The Selayar KEK area covers 500 hectares of land and is slated for development in 2018. The administration has also prepared another 100 hectares to build a modern Islamic center called the Islamic Unity Center. The center will host a mosque, an Islamic boarding school and a library. (JakartaPost)