West Papua wonders on show in Semanggi

The West Papua administration is hosting a two-day event titled “The Miracle of West Papua” at Plaza Semanggi Mall in Central Jakarta from Saturday to promote the province.

The fair is aimed at attracting tourists to West Papua, and not just to the renowned Raja Ampat diving site.

“We are launching promotional material to promote tourism in West Papua,” the Jakarta representative of the West Papua administration, Johni A Rumbara, was quoted as saying Saturday by news portal kompas.com.

Johni said the administration wanted to showcase the province’s capital, Manokwari, which has a population of 150,000 and is served by Rendani airport.

He added that Sorong regency had a traditional weaving industry called Timor fabric, while Fakfak regency was famous for its tasty nutmeg syrup.

Johni also highlighted tourism destinations such as Cendrawasih Bay national park in Wondama Bay regency with its 500 kilometer coastline.

The province is divided into 10 regencies: Manokwari, Fakfak, Kaimana, Wondama Bay, Bintuni Bay, South Sorong, Raja Ampat, Maybrat, and Tambrauw. (rpt)