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Nias to be world-class surfing destination, government pledges
Pristine beaches and seas most suitable for surfing, a close-knit community of the same race but different dialects, showcasing richness in culture and the iconic hombo batu(stone jumping).
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A surfer rides the wave on Sorake Beach, south Nias. (Shutterstock.com/Anges van der Logt)
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ristine beaches and seas most suitable for surfing, a close-knit community of the same race but different dialects, showcasing richness in culture and the iconic hombo batu (stone jumping).
The aforementioned describes Nias Island, North Sumatra, 120 kilometers west of Sumatra and the largest of a group of more than a hundred islands forming the Nias Island archipelago, which may well become “the new Bali” as the government has its sights set on transforming the region into an international tourist destination.
Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said the government planned to turn the region into a world-class surfing hub to bolster local tourism, considering its popularity among international surfers over the years.
“The government vows to make Nias a better place to attract more tourists,” Luhut said on the sidelines of the 2019 Sail Nias opening ceremony last week.
He went on to say that the government was formulating an omnibus law – a single bill aimed at amending several laws – in an effort to make it easier for foreign investors to realize their investments in various sectors in the country, including tourism.
“Similar to neighboring Lake Toba, [the government] aims to reinvigorate tourism on Nias Island. We are discussing an omnibus bill. If it’s passed into law, it will improve the country’s investment climate. It will have a positive impact on tourism,” he said.
This year’s iteration of the annual Sail Nias served as a concrete example of the government’s support for tourism on Nias Island, Luhut said.
