Koba (Antara Babel) - The Central Bangka district town of Koba in Bangka-Belitung Province is expected to become a center of trade and tourism in line with its potential.
"In accordance with its potential, Koba is projected to become a center of trade and tourism," Central Bangka District Head Ibnu Saleh remarked here on Thursday.
He revealed that the local government had already outlined some special strategic steps to transform Koba into a center of trade and tourism.
"In future, several markets will be well managed. Supporting facilities will certainly be offered, and this is part of the efforts in that direction," he said.
He stated that several potential tourism attractions in Koba will be developed into attractive destinations for travelers within and outside the region.
He noted that the beaches of Arung Dalam, Tanjung, and Gusong will need to be better managed in future in order to attract more visitors.
Taking into account its marine tourism attraction, the Central Bangka district government should start developing Gusong Beach as a family getaway for both domestic and foreign tourists.
The beach's natural scenery is unique as compared to others, Fauzie, a local tourist visiting Gusong Beach, remarked.
It has huge potential and was formed naturally, Fauzie stated.
It has vast stretches of sand, calm sea waters, still intact corals, and lush tropical forests. The local government should develop it into a mainstay tourist attraction in Central Bangka, he noted.
"I think the local government needs to package Gusong Beach well and develop it into one of the mainstay tourist destinations, as this beach is no less beautiful than the other beaches in Indonesia," he suggested.
The natural panorama of Gusong Beach is alluring, but unfortunately, not many people are aware of its potential to become a tourist attraction, he added.
Another visitor Rudianto pointed out that the local government was yet to utilize the potential of Gusong Beach to make it a tourism magnet.
"Gusong Beach is less popular than the other beaches in Bangka Island since it is independently managed by local villagers without any support from the local government," Rudianto observed.
Further, he stressed that if the local government had properly packaged and managed Gusong Beach, it would have become one of the mainstay tourist destinations apart from Ketawai Island in Central Bangka.
