Sorong Aims to Become More Than Just a Gateway to Raja Ampat
Every journey has a gateway. For anyone wishing to experience the western side of Papua, that gateway is named Sorag. The city, which has long been identified as a stopover point en route to Raja Ampat, is now striving to build a new identity: becoming the primary face of Papuan tourism. The Sorong City Government aims 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 very beginning.
A concrete step towards realising this vision was marked by the opening of the Capacity Building Activity for Indigenous Papuan Human Resources in Managing Sorong City Tourism Destinations. The event, held on Monday, 29 June 2026, was officially opened by the Vice Mayor of Sorong, Anshar Karim, accompanied by the Head of the Sorong City Tourism Office, Zikri Atiqi Helmi.
For decades, Sorong has been regarded merely as a transit point. Tourists land at Domine Eduard Osok Airport and immediately head to the port to cross over to Raja Ampat. However, as the capital of Southwest Papua Province, Sorong possesses riches that have not yet been fully touched by mainstream tourism.
Anshar emphasised that the tourism sector has now become a strategic sector capable of driving regional economic growth. However, the vast potential—ranging from nature, culture, and history to marine tourism—will not yield optimal benefits without the support of high-quality human resources.
“Great tourism potential will not provide optimal benefits if it is not supported by quality, skilled human resources who possess the ability to manage tourist destinations professionally and sustainably,” Anshar Karim stated in his address.
The primary focus of this activity is to ensure that the local community, particularly Indigenous Papuans (OAP), do not merely remain spectators amidst the rapid development of tourism. The Sorong City Government is encouraging the active involvement of indigenous people as innovative and competitive destination managers.
Developing community-based tourism is one of the strategic steps to realise the grand vision of the Sorong City Government. 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 actors is crucial. Through this training, it is hoped that a strong collaborative network will emerge among destination managers to share experiences and strengthen the city’s tourism ecosystem.