Tourism in Poso yet to recover

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