ID :
18711
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 23:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/18711
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TOURISTS VISITING KOTABARU FIND IT HARD TO FIND SOUVENIRS
Kotabaru, S Kalimantan, Sept 9 (ANTARA) - Tourists or holiday makers visiting Kotabaru to enjoy its natural panoramas are still having a hard time finding special souvenirs from Kotabaru they can take home, a domestic tourist said.
"Kotabaru is a well-known city in Indonesia but we still cannot find any souvenirs characteristic of Kotabaru even though we have been here several times," Abu Bakar, a visitor from Lamongan, East Java, said.
The souvenirs which locals do offer -- kerupuk ikan (fish-flavored crackers) , amplang (hand-made crackers made of Spanish mackerel) and salted fish -- are considered not special enough because the same things are also available in other cities in South Kalimantan.
In the past, plaited rattan mats, hats and handcrafts and also wood carvings from local people in Pembelancang and Langadai Village in Kelumpang Selatan and Kelumpang Hilir Subdistrict used to be Kotabaru's special handicraft products. However, they are nowadays quite hard to find.
A number of craftsmen admitted they were not getting any assistance or guidance to develop their skills from any private or governmental organizations so they make the handicrafts just to kill their leisure time.
Kotabaru Vice District Chief Fatizanolo Saoiago admitted Kotabaru still did not have specific souvenirs that could be offered to visitors despite its cultural wealth and natural resources.
"Related offices should help the packaging, appearance and promotion of the products so the competent people can continue their creativity," said Saoiago.
Meanwhile, the head of the Kotabaru culture and tourism office, Mahmud Dimyati, said although Kotabaru did have various characteristic foods and handicrafts, there were no groups or businessmen in its community willing to pack those foods and handicrafts into souvenirs salable to tourists.
"Kotabaru is a well-known city in Indonesia but we still cannot find any souvenirs characteristic of Kotabaru even though we have been here several times," Abu Bakar, a visitor from Lamongan, East Java, said.
The souvenirs which locals do offer -- kerupuk ikan (fish-flavored crackers) , amplang (hand-made crackers made of Spanish mackerel) and salted fish -- are considered not special enough because the same things are also available in other cities in South Kalimantan.
In the past, plaited rattan mats, hats and handcrafts and also wood carvings from local people in Pembelancang and Langadai Village in Kelumpang Selatan and Kelumpang Hilir Subdistrict used to be Kotabaru's special handicraft products. However, they are nowadays quite hard to find.
A number of craftsmen admitted they were not getting any assistance or guidance to develop their skills from any private or governmental organizations so they make the handicrafts just to kill their leisure time.
Kotabaru Vice District Chief Fatizanolo Saoiago admitted Kotabaru still did not have specific souvenirs that could be offered to visitors despite its cultural wealth and natural resources.
"Related offices should help the packaging, appearance and promotion of the products so the competent people can continue their creativity," said Saoiago.
Meanwhile, the head of the Kotabaru culture and tourism office, Mahmud Dimyati, said although Kotabaru did have various characteristic foods and handicrafts, there were no groups or businessmen in its community willing to pack those foods and handicrafts into souvenirs salable to tourists.
