Heaptalk, Jakarta – Apkasi Otonomi Expo (AOE) 2024 was officially held from 10 to 12 July at Jakarta Convention Center. Opened by President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, the national scale expo was participated by all municipals and regency governments across Indonesia, one of which is West Halmahera Regency.
West Halmahera, represented by Tourism Department, showcased the potential of local MSMEs and tourism.
“In the previous year, we displayed the products of some departments such as fisheries and agriculture. But today, we focus on tourism potential,” stated West Halmahera’s Chief Marketing, Dispaspora Haris Atid, at West Halmahera’s booth on Wednesday (07/10).
For MSMEs products, Haris explained that the local government displayed featured local products, such as sago, mulu bebe banana, nutmeg syrup, roa chili sauce, ginger coffee, and more.
Meanwhile, regarding the tourism industry, Haris explained that the entire Halmahera’s tourism potencies were introduced in this expo. Teluk Jailolo Festival, one of the tourist destinations from the mice sector, is reported has attracted over 20,000 visitors in 2023. For this year, the annual event is poised to be held from July 31 to August.
“We will adopt culture as the theme, thus the event will be dominated by culture show. This year, we target to attract approximately 25,000 to 30,000 visitors,” stated Haris.
In addition to Teluk Jailolo Festival, West Halmahera Government also introduced its tourism village which managed to be the top 50 Tourist Village Award nominee initiated by the Ministry of Creative Economy and Tourism.
“Thank God, (West Halmahera) tourist village ranks in the top 50 and will be visited by Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno,” conveyed Haris.
Apart from introducing its tourism potential, Haris added that this expo also opens opportunities for local governments to collaborate and develop their tourism, agriculture, and livestock.
