Tanjung Lesung Beach Offers Traditional Art Shows

Pandeglang, Banten, Dec 3 (ANTARA) - Tanjung Lesung beach in Banten province is offering traditional arts, such as "Rampak Bedung" and "Debus" to visitors starting December 1, 2012, according to a villa official. "This is a part of our efforts to empower the local community as well as to conserve Banten art and culture," the sales director of Kalicaa Villa Tanjung Lesung, Andre Massie, said here on Sunday. He stated that the traditional art and culture shows are aimed at attracting more visitors to Tanjung Lesung. "The visitors will be offered with the traditional dances, such as `rampak bedug` and `debus` while enjoying the dinner in the restaurants at the sea shore," Massie said. "We only present the show at the weekend which sees more visitors than on the weekdays," he said. Moreover, he added that a large number of visitors are found during the Eid Fitr and New Year. "Ahead of Christmas and New Year, the package for two nights is offered at Rp12 million, while in normal days the package is offered at Rp4.5 per night," he said. Massie added that a number of facilities are provided in the location, such as sport facilities, beach club, camping ground and other facilities for beach entertainment. Meanwhile, the Banten Culture and Tourism Service Head Ajak Moeslim stated that Tanjung Lesung beach has natural beauty like any other beaches across the country, including those in Bali. "Unfortunately, many people know little about the beach. Moreover, poor infrastructure that connects the beach does not support tourists who will visit there," he said. He expressed hope that 1,500 hectares of land on Tanjung Lesung beach will be immediately developed into a special economic zone (KEK) to attract more visitors. Moeslim stated that he also runs a "Media Fam Trip" program to boost tourists ahead of Christmas and New Year 2013 to visit tourist sites in Banten, such as Benteng Heritage (Indonesian-Chinese descent museum) and Tanjungkait Culinary sites in Tangerang as well as Anyer, Tanjung Lesung and Sawarna beaches.