Indonesia targets global recognition for Bantimurung National Park

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is committed to collaborating with various stakeholders to improve the infrastructure, services, and promotion of Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, with the aim of enhancing the destination's global recognition and competitiveness.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa said collaboration with relevant ministries, regional governments, park management, tourism operators, and local communities is intended to ensure that tourism development generates broader economic benefits for residents without compromising conservation efforts or ecosystem sustainability.

"I hope Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park is not only known as a beautiful tourist destination but also serves as a concrete example of sustainable tourism management based on conservation and community empowerment," Puspa said in a statement released on Sunday.

She noted that the national park, located in Maros District, South Sulawesi, offers visitors a range of natural, educational, and conservation-based tourism experiences.

During her visit to the park on Saturday (September 19), Puspa highlighted its world-class attractions, including its rich biodiversity.

The park is home to numerous butterfly species, including several rare and endemic species, earning Bantimurung the nickname "The Kingdom of Butterflies."

The area also features an extensive karst landscape with distinctive cliffs and panoramic views. The landscape forms an important part of the geological wealth of the Maros-Pangkep region, which is internationally recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

In addition to its geological significance, the conservation area provides habitat for diverse endemic Sulawesi flora and fauna, including the Moor macaque (Macaca maura) and the Sulawesi bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus).

Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park also attracts visitors with natural features such as waterfalls and a network of caves. The caves contain spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and are also of archaeological significance.

These attributes provide important assets for developing Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park as a high-quality sustainable tourism destination, with environmental preservation and community involvement at the core of its management.

During her visit, Puspa inspected several tourism facilities and held discussions with local tourism operators, park managers, and tour guides.

The discussions focused on strategies to build local capacity and improve human resources, empowering communities to play a more active role in the region's tourism development.

"Security, safety, and cleanliness are the main foundations of the tourism sector. Basic facilities, such as clear evacuation route signage and clean restrooms, are essential standards that must be maintained to provide the best experience for both domestic and foreign tourists," she said.

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Translator: Hreeloita Shanti, Uyu Liman
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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