Reviving Puncak an uphill battle<\/p>\n
Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Puncak, West Java<\/p>\n
The Bogor tourism agency is fighting to reinstate Puncak as one
\nof the 10 top tourism spots in Indonesia by organizing a
\nparagliding competition.<\/p>\n
Puncak, the high-altitude tourist resort in West Java, has
\nbeen off the Association of Indonesian Travel Agents' (Asita's)
\ntop ten tourist spots list for two years because Asita considers
\nthe region dirty, congested and full of street vendors.<\/p>\n
The head of the Bogor tourism agency, Arry Sunardi, said that
\nholding sports competitions was one of the strategies that the
\nadministration would use to revive the region's image and its
\npopularity among both foreign and domestic tourists.<\/p>\n
Besides offering fresh mountain air, Puncak also offers
\nperfect spots for paragliders to float thousands of meters above
\nthe ground while enjoying spectacular views of tea plantations in
\nthe region (see photo).<\/p>\n
However, problems with hawkers and congestion have caused
\nPuncak to become a mere stop-over for people on their way to
\nBandung, the capital of West Java.<\/p>\n
\"The administration has been working hard to revive the
\nregion's image as a tourism destination. Besides relocating the
\nvendors, we will also hold several competitions that will allow
\nathletes to enjoy the natural scenery of the region,\" Arry said.<\/p>\n
The three-day competition, which was held from June 17 to June
\n19, attracted 26 paragliders 12 provinces.<\/p>\n
The administration hopes that the athletes will spread the
\nword about their experience of the natural beauty of Puncak, so
\nthat domestic tourists will return to throng the hill area once
\nmore.<\/p>\n
In the past, Puncak was neatly planned, with roads lined on
\nboth sides with colorful kana flowers (Canna orientalis). Today,
\nthe flowers have given way to hundreds of hawkers.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reviving-puncak-an-uphill-battle-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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