Sorong Aims to Become More Than Just a Gateway to Raja Ampat

Every journey has a door. For anyone wanting to get to know Papua from its western side, that door is called Sorong. The city, long synonymous as a stopover en route to Raja Ampat, is now striving to build a new identity: becoming the first face of Papuan tourism. The Sorong City Government wants to ensure that the charm of eastern Indonesia is not only found at the end of the journey, but also at the gateway that welcomes visitors from the start. A concrete step towards realising this vision was marked by the opening of a Human Resources Capacity Building activity for Indigenous Papuans in managing Sorong City tourism destinations. The event, held on Monday, 29 June 2026, was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Sorong, Anshar Karim, accompanied by the Head of the Sorong City Tourism Office, Zikri Atiqi Helmi. For decades, Sorong was merely considered a transit point. Tourists landed at Domine Eduard Osok Airport, then immediately headed to the port to cross over to Raja Ampat. Yet, as the capital of Southwest Papua Province, Sorong possesses a wealth of attractions largely untouched by mainstream tourism. Anshar emphasised that the tourism sector has now become a strategic sector capable of driving regional economic growth. However, this great potential—ranging from natural, cultural, and historical to marine tourism—will not yield optimal benefits without the support of quality human resources. ‘Great tourism potential will not provide optimal benefits if it is not supported by quality, skilled human resources who are capable of managing destinations professionally and sustainably,’ Anshar stated in his address. The main focus of this activity is to ensure that local communities, particularly Indigenous Papuans, are not just spectators in the rapid development of tourism. The Sorong City Government is encouraging the active involvement of Indigenous Papuans as innovative and competitive destination managers. Community-based tourism development is a strategic step towards realising the government’s grand vision. By integrating the concept of sustainable tourism, Sorong is expected to strengthen its image as a leading destination in Southwest Papua, rather than merely existing in the shadow of Raja Ampat. Zikri added that synergy between the government and local tourism stakeholders is crucial. Through this training, it is hoped that a strong network among destination managers will emerge, allowing them to share experiences and strengthen the city’s tourism ecosystem.