Deputy Governor Si Doel Pushes for Planetarium to Become New Educational Tourism Destination

Efforts to develop knowledge-based tourism are now receiving serious attention from local governments. Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno has opened opportunities for collaboration between the Equator Bonjol area in Pasaman, West Sumatra, and Jakarta’s Planetarium in the Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) complex as part of strengthening science education and developing new tourism destinations. This idea emerges amid the need to provide learning spaces that are not only formal but also enjoyable and contextual for the younger generation. The planetarium and equatorial area are seen to have great potential to become vibrant learning centres, combining science, history, and direct experiences. “Hopefully, there will be room for cooperation that can be developed, including for revitalisation, so that visits to this area become more attractive and provide added value in terms of education,” said Rano in his statement in Jakarta on Tuesday. Rano, who is also widely known as “Si Doel,” believes that the development of educational tourism cannot be separated from the power of local culture and history. He conveyed this during his visit to the Tuanku Imam Bonjol Museum in Bonjol, Pasaman, West Sumatra. “Culture must be positioned as a driver of development. It lives from traditions and inherited values, while also serving as a foundation so that progress goes hand in hand with strengthening identity, and opens up economic opportunities for the community,” he stated. According to him, the integration of tourism, education, and culture will create a more sustainable development ecosystem. Not only attracting tourists but also strengthening the character of the local community. In that context, the role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is also a focus. Rano assesses that the vibrancy of MSMEs in Pasaman shows that the local economy has strong resilience if supported by the right ecosystem.