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)