Nusakambangan opens doors to tourism

SEMARANG, Central Java: The Nusakambangan prison island will be opened for holidaymakers late this year -- but not for lone tourists.

The local tourism office will provide the groups with special tourist guides before they can tour the island well-known for its prisons housing hardcore criminals.

Head of the Central Java tourism office Sri Soebagyo said that special conditions have been set for visitors because of security reasons, Antara reported.

Soebagyo did not mention the minimum number of people who may visit the island in one group.

The 279-square-kilometer island has four prisons occupied by 240 convicts. The island also boasts a reserve forest and rare plants protected by laws.

Tourists can also visit the forest, beaches and caves. The provincial government has built sports facilities to support its campaign to open the island. (pan)