Bengkulu Governor: Danau Dendam Development Ready to Support Tourism Industry

The Provincial Government of Bengkulu, together with the Ministry of Public Works, has officially commenced the landscaping phase of the Danau Dendam Tak Sudah (DDTS) area in an effort to present a tourism destination capable of supporting the growth of the tourism industry and the community’s economy. “Through this landscaping, we want to present a destination that is modern, well-organised, and has strong competitiveness, as well as becoming a new icon to support the tourism industry of Bengkulu Province,” said Bengkulu Governor Helmi Hasan in Bengkulu on Thursday. Helmi stated that the DDTS landscaping is a strategic step by the regional government to improve the quality of Bengkulu’s leading tourist destination so it can compete with other regions and attract more tourist visits. According to him, the area’s development is not only oriented towards improving physical infrastructure but is also a government effort to encourage regional economic growth through the development of the tourism sector and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). He explained that the DDTS development began in 2022 with land acquisition covering 48,703 square metres, with an initial phase budget of approximately Rp28 billion. In 2023, development continued with the construction of an elevated road that is now functional, with work valued at Rp89 billion, along with a land maturation programme worth Rp2 billion. The total budget realised for the basic development of the area has reached Rp119 billion. With the basic infrastructure deemed ready, the government is now entering the area landscaping phase with a work contract value of Rp37.12 billion, which will be used to create a representative, well-organised, and environmentally friendly tourist area that provides an economic impact for the surrounding community. Helmi also expressed appreciation to the Bengkulu City Government for supporting the preparation process for the area’s development. He noted that the handover of the temporary landscaping work site to the Cipta Karya Implementation Task Force is evidence of good synergy between the Central Government, provincial government, and city government in accelerating the development of the leading tourist destination. Meanwhile, Head of the Bengkulu Building, Area, and Infrastructure Planning Centre, Fery Erawan, stated that the project is a form of joint commitment between the Ministry of Public Works and the Provincial Government of Bengkulu to provide a comfortable, beautiful public space that benefits the community. “We express our appreciation to the Provincial Government of Bengkulu, the City Government of Bengkulu, and all parties who have provided support. This memorandum of agreement is proof of synergy between the central government and regional governments to have a broader positive impact on the community,” said Fery. During the activity, the Bengkulu Province Public Works and Spatial Planning Office also handed over a temporary landscaping site covering approximately 19,000 square metres in the Dusun Besar sub-district, Bengkulu City, to the Bengkulu Province Cipta Karya Implementation Task Force to support the acceleration of the DDTS development as one of the leading tourist destinations in the region.