Padang (ANTARA) - There are various kinds of tourism beauty in West Sumatra and one of them is in Limapuluh Kota Regency, which is the unique Saribu Gonjong (Sarugo) traditional tourism village.
"Traditional tourism village located in Jorong Sungai Dadok, Nagari Koto Tinggi, West Sumatra. This is a new tourist destination, which shows traditional and cultural tourism in a village of Saribu Gonjong or known as Sarugo," said Deputy Governor of West Sumatra Nasrul Abit Datuak Malintang. Panai while visiting the Saribu Gonjong Traditional Village Anniversary, Tuesday.
West Sumatra Deputy Governor with his wife Hj. Wartawati were in awe of enjoying the natural beauty while visiting the tourist village of Sarugo.
There is visible natural beauty surrounded by interlocked hills in the middle of a village with the traditional Thousand Gonjong gadang house.
Their visit was welcomed with a "gelombang" dance and hundreds of people from Jorong Sungai Dadok, Nagari Koto Tinggi wearing traditional Minang clothing which has become a community habit.
"Sarugo is an extraordinary tourist location. It needs to be improved, especially road access and various things that highlight the tourism potential of this Sarugo traditional village. I am sure that the potential for traditional tourism is not inferior to other destinations of beauty and uniqueness," said Nasrul Abit.
Apart from the beautiful scenery, visitors can pick their own oranges known as Gunung Omeh.
Nasrul Abit hopes that the tourist area will be carried out to preserve regional culture, especially the Minangkabau culture. At the same time, this tourist spot can be a destination for tourists to understand traditional ethics as a character of the identity of the village children in this area.
"Because this is a traditional cultural tourism, the people here must understand the customs, from welcoming to ethical behavior as Minang people who are cultured in their speech and manners to entertain visiting tourists," explained Nasrul Abit.
Preparing cultural customs, can improve agro-tourism villages, and shape the character of a tourism-conscious community and after that prepare comfortable places for visitors.
"Congratulations on the opening of new tourist sites and hopefully it will be a multi-effect which is good for the progress of regional development as well as the increase in the economy for all surrounding communities," hoped Nasrul Abit.
However, in maintaining the health and safety of traveling in West Sumatra, the Deputy Governor advised that during this pandemic, please take care of each other.
Visitors must follow health protocols and must wear masks, because the COVID-19 virus does not know the place and anyone can be exposed to the coronavirus.
Chairman of the Regional Representative Council of Limapuluh Kota, Deni Asra, on the occasion said that the tourism of Kampung Saribu Gonjong 'Sarugo' answered the people's desire to make the area a traditional tourism in Limapuluh Kota.
"If managed professionally, the community will get an increase in income and welfare," he said.
Deni also said that the Jorong Sungai Dadok culture is still preserved. With so much the desire of the people to make their village a traditional tourism area.
Meanwhile, the Rector of the Muhammadiyah University of West Sumatra, Riki Saputra, explained that so far, his party has sent hundreds of UMSB students to carry out Community Service Program (KKN) in Koto Tinggi Kenagarian, including in Jorong Sungai Dadok.
He added that through this KKN, students could provide guidance to the surrounding community to become aware of tourism, because the Saribu Gonjong Traditional Tourism Village is expected to become a new tourist destination in Limapuluh Kota.
"I am optimistic that Sarugo tourism will become a famous tourist destination, because it has exotic beauty," he said.
"With the government's support, we hope that in the future this tourist area will be liked by the community, so that it becomes one of the destinations for people to travel," he added.
Transleted by: Mutiara Ramadhani
