JP/5/TOURISM

JP/5/TOURISM

Earthquake devastates Nias tourism

Apriadi Gunawan
The Jakarta Post/Medan

Tourism on Nias island is in a state of ruin as the monster
earthquake of March 28 damaged almost 90 percent of tourism
infrastructure in the area, a senior government official said on
Thursday.

The most damaged tourist spots are Sorake and Lagundri
beaches, said Ezra Munthe, the head of the North Sumatra
administration's culture and tourism office.

The two locations are famous surf beaches, particularly
popular with Australia surfers, as the waves at Sorake and
Lagundri can reach as high as seven meters. Surfing competitions
are often held on Sorake beach.

Ezra said that Sorake and Lagundri beaches were still great
spots for surfing but tourists were staying away as the
infrastructure, such as homestays, shops etc., had been damaged
by the 8.7-magnitude quake.

Residents also fled to higher ground following the quake for
fear of a possible tsunami triggered by the aftershocks.

The situation in Bao Matoduo subdistrict, South Nias regency,
which is popular with tourists due to its traditional houses, is
similar.

Almost all traditional houses, some of them aged 400 years,
are still standing, but the area has been deserted by terrified
residents.

Ezra said the North Sumatra administration hoped the tourist
industry would recover within two years.

"The rebuilding process will take a long time. It's not just
reconstruction programs that are involved, we must also help the
earthquake victims, many of whom are afraid to return home," said
Ezra.

Ezra declined to comment on how much money is needed to
rebuild Nias' tourist industry.

According to a decree issued by President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono, the government has earmarked Rp 2.097 trillion (US$233
million) in funds to carry out reconstruction and rehabilitation
work in Nias and South Nias regencies.