Quay to be built to boost tourism

BUTON, Southeast Sulawesi: A permanent quay will be built on Kaledupa island, one of the islands in Tukang Besi subdistrict here, in a bid to boost tourism at Wakatobi National Park.

The Ministry of Communications has allocated Rp 2.5 billion to finance the project, the head of the ministry's provincial office, Mawardi Yusuf, said yesterday.

The quay, designed to accommodate large passenger and cargo ships, will serve as a gateway for tourists visiting the underwater park in Hoga island near Kaledupa island as well as spur economic activity, Mawardi said as quoted by Antara.

Apart from the quay, the local government also plans to build an airport on Kaledupa island, he said.

The local government has already provided 3,000 hectares of land for the airport which will be designed to accommodate CN- 235s and F-27s, he added.