Padang, (Antara Sumbar) - West Sumatra Provincial Government has not decided which tourist destinations will be promoted to be visited by participants of National Press Day (HPN) in 2018 yet, because there are many potentials that exist in the area.
"We have not talked to one or more specific destinations, so maybe all the leading destinations in the region will be promoted," West Sumatra Tourism Office Head, Oni Yulfian said in Padang on Thursday.
He said it was related to the implementation of HPN that will be concentrated in the province in February 2018.
According to him at this time there are some district and city governments are eager to develop destinations such as South Solok with 'Thousand of Rumah Gadang (Minangkabau traditional house) and Batukapal Cave and Sijunjung with its Silokek.
There are also destinations that have received international recognition such as Nagari Tuo Pariangan. Then, community driven destinations such as Nyarai in Padang Pariaman and Sumpur which also have potential to attract the interest of HPN participants.
Long-known destinations such as Mandeh in South Pesisir, a number of destinations in Padang, Pariaman, Agam, Padang Panjang, Bukittinggi, Payakumbuh, Batusangkar, Sawahlunto and Solok can also be the aim of HPN participants' visits.
"Later it will be studied again whether we will focus on one or several promotion destinations, or all of them then let HPN participants choose where they want to go," he explained.
Previously, the Governor of West Sumatra, Irwan Prayitno said HPN 2018 is a regional moment to promote tourism potential and renewable energy in the area.
Half of 3,000 to 5,000 journalists who come to West Sumatra in HPN will write about West Sumatra and it will make the whole world know the potential of the area.
"We hope press power will help the development of regional potential to improve communities' welfare," he added. (cha)
Editor: Vicha Faradika
