Tourism in Poso yet to recover

PALU, Southeast Sulawesi: The tourism industry in the Central Sulawesi town of Poso is still in the dumps, although the security condition has normalized in the last six months.

Head of Poso tourism and culture Muzakir Podungge said on Saturday that in the first semester, only 50 people visited the Togean islands, the major tourist destination.

During the three years of sectarian conflict between 1999 and 2002 in Poso, he said, many tourism programs were scrapped, such as the Poso Lake Festival and Solewana Falls in Tentena. The tourist resort near Poso Lake had even been turned into a refugee camp during the conflict.

Other potential tourism spots in Poso include the Saloupa Falls in North Tentena Pamona district, Bancea Orchid Park in South Pamona and the Malotong springs in Ampana.

A cultural week will be held in 2004 to lure more visitors to Poso, as well as to strengthen cultural exchange among ethnic groups. -- Antara