Ambon’s world peace gong attracts more tourists

An increasing number of tourists will be visiting the eastern Indonesian city of Ambon, Maluku, to see the world peace gong, dedicated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in November last year.

Maluku Culture and Tourism Office spokesperson Florence Sahusilawane said  on Tuesday the gong had attracted a lot of domestic and  foreign tourists.

"I have been informed by Swiss-bell Hotel that more tourists from Australia and Canada will come to Ambon next month to see the world peace gong," Sahusilawane said in Ambon as quoted by Antara.

Sahusilawane said the 34th world peace gong was set up in the center of Ambon city to show that the area was safe for tourists to visit.

According to Sahusilawane, the world peace gong was set up in Maluku provincial city of Ambon instead of Indonesian capital on consideration that the province has been safe and peaceful after being wrecked by a three-year sectarian violence from 1999 to 2002.

"The world peace gong in Ambon will tell the world that Maluku is safe and peaceful, and therefore both domestic and foreign tourists can visit the province anytime," Sahusilawane said.