TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The number of tourists visiting Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, has been rising over the past five years. In 2024, the number of visitors amounted to 33,277 people, as reported by the Raja Ampat statistics bureau (BPS).
The majority of tourists visiting Raja Ampat come from abroad, with 2024 data logging 24,934 foreign tourists and 8,343 domestic visitors.
The number of tourist visits in 2024 was almost double that of the previous year, with 19,839 people, comprising 16,153 foreign tourists and 3,686 domestic tourists.
In 2022, the number of tourists visiting Raja Ampat was 5,725 people. The previous year, the number of tourists was 2,230, and in 2020 it was 8,253.
But the highest number of visitors was recorded in 2019, with a total of 46,375 people.
The number declined as Covid-19 spread worldwide.
This year, the Raja Ampat Regency Tourism Office targets tourist arrivals to reach 45,000. "Raja Ampat visits are costly, so more foreigners come. But the higher cost brings with it a positive effect for Raja Ampat, as its natural beauty remains preserved," said the head of the Raja Ampat Regency Tourism Office, Ellen Risamasu, as quoted from RRI on January 22, 2025.
The beauty of Raja Ampat is not only recognized at the national level, but also internationally. The New York Times included Raja Ampat among the list of must-visit destinations, and the area has officially become part of the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) since 2023.
Raja Ampat's nickname of 'The Last Paradise on Earth' is further strengthened by the success of the local community in preserving the natural marine ecosystem.
Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana emphasized that her office will continue to promote Raja Ampat to the global market, including through promotional activities and flagship programs such as the Clean Tourism Movement 2025, which emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and comfort in tourism destinations to boost Indonesia's tourism competitiveness.
But nickel mining has threatened the wealth and natural beauty of Raja Ampat, with sedimentation, pollution, and the loss of coral reefs. The Ministry of Environment has temporarily suspended mining activities in the islands.
Raden Putri Alpadillah Ginanjar and Dinda Shabrina also contributed to the writing of this article.
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