Tourist resort closed down

Tourist resort closed down

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: The provincial government has closed Lemo, a tourist site well known for its ancient cemetery, after it failed to control souvenir vendors swamping the resort.

Head of the local tourism office Erwin Mansoer said yesterday he deplored the closure of Lemo but agreed that the move was the best way to safeguard the image of Tanatoraja as a tourist spot.

"The closure is lamentable because foreign tourists will not be able to enjoy the famous resort," he was quoted as saying by the Antara news agency.

Tanatoraja regent Tarsis Kodrat, who is steadfast in his stand to promote "cultural tourism" officially closed Lemo to tourists last week.

Local officials said the site was chaos because of ubiquitous souvenir vendors. They added the sellers didn't cooperate with the government. (pan)