Nusakambangan opens doors to tourism

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)