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Bangka to require tourists to spend money on hotels, restaurants
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Rambak Beach in Sungailiat, Bangka regency. (Shutterstock/Egan Phedra)
T
ourists visiting the regency of Bangka in Bangka Belitung Islands province will be required to spend a night and buy food from the area, an official stated on Friday.
Bangka Regent Mulkan said plans were in store to issue a new regulation (Perbup) obliging tourists to stay for at least one night and enjoy local food during their visit in Bangka.
“We don't want any foreign or domestic tourists to come to Bangka to enjoy its beautiful scenery but stay at hotels outside the regency and buy food there as well,” he said, as quoted by news agency Antara on Friday.
Mulkan said the regulation aimed to boost Bangka’s tourism sector.
Read also: The hidden gems of Bangka Island
“I'm optimistic that this regulation will increase our tourist sector [income] and contribute to the local economy," he added.
Bangka is seeking to attract at least 86,000 domestic and foreign tourists by the end of this year and has planned various events to support it, such as the 2019 Sungailiat Triathlon expected to attract 302 participants from 16 countries. (dpk/kes)
