PANGKALPINANG -- To stimulate geotourism potential in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, PT Timah supports Research, Community Service and Innovation (P2MI) in Geological Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).
The series of P2MI Teknologi ITB activities opened with a focus group discussion (FGD) Exploring the Geotourism Potential of the Bangka Belitung Islands which was held at Graha PT Timah, Thursday (5/9/2024).
This FGD was also attended by PT Timah's Director of Operations and Production, Nur Adi Kuncoro, Head of ITB Geological Engineering Master's and Doctoral Program, Dr. Eng Mirzam Abdurrachman, S.T., M.T, Head of the Bangka Belitung Province Education Service Ervawi, tourism activist, Representative of the Bangka Belitung Province Tourism Office, Yuliarsyah, Pengda IAGI Babel, tourism activist and business actor.
Over the next four days, 23 ITB lecturers from various scientific groups will provide more information on the geo-tourism sector on Bangka Island. So it can increase geo-tourism attractiveness.
Bangka Island has great potential in geo-tourism because it has a variety of rocks combined with unique and beautiful beaches. In addition, Bangka is the base of Sumatra and is a tin route.
He gave examples, there are rocks on Tikus Emas Beach, there are satam rocks on Belitung Island, Batu Belimbing in Toboali, and a number of other tourist destinations that have geological information that must be conveyed to the public and tourists.
Head of Master and Doctoral Program in Geological Engineering ITB, Dr. Eng Mirzam Abdurrachman, S.T., M.T. said that conducting research in Bangka could provide more information on tourism potential from a geological perspective. So that later tourists can get more information and be interested in coming again.
"We brought 23 lecturers with various knowledge who are expected to be able to complete and retell and convey geological information in simple language. We often travel but don't know the geological information," he said.
He also appreciated PT Timah for supporting them in carrying out this research. This, he said, was a form of PT Timah's support in developing geo-tourism potential on Bangka Island.
In the future, he hopes that the results of this research can be used by tourism activists, the community and local governments to optimize the geo-tourism potential on Bangka Island. And it is hoped that it can improve the community's economy.
"This is part of the Pentahelix collaboration so that geotourism development can be carried out optimally. We also appreciate PT Timah for hosting and supporting this activity and we hope that this can be followed up by both the Government, the community and its elements," he said.
According to him, tin mining and geo-tourism development can be carried out simultaneously, provided that the mining carried out is mining that has a permit and also applies good mining rules.
"The geopark in Banyuwangi is a geo-tourism road and there is sulfur mining in it. Mining can be carried out but it must be seen from a legal aspect, carried out in accordance with applicable regulations," he said.
Meanwhile, PT Timah Nur Adi Kuncoro, Director of Operations and Production, hopes that this activity will be the first step to developing geo-tourism potential on Bangka Island.
He hopes that this FGD and research can contribute to the development of tourism in Bangka Belitung.
"This synergy is a matter of pride for PT Timah with the presence of ITB professors and lecturers. Hopefully, this will be a positive thing for us, for Babel regarding Geotourism and geoparks," he said.
Meanwhile, a Representative from the Bangka Belitung Province Tourism Office, Yuliarsyah, said that Bangka Belitung does have a lot of tourism potential.
He hopes that this activity can continue so that it can accompany the Government in developing geo-tourism. Moreover, currently, he said, the condition of Babylon tourism is not good.
"The condition of Babylon's tourism is not good, the economic condition of Babylon is also not good. This has a big impact on us. We know that it has great potential for geological wealth. Of course, the presence of this research is a stimulus for us to manage the heritage on earth to improve the welfare of society," he said.
"We also have high hopes for assistance in developing existing potential. Even though geo-tourism is not something new, because Bangka Belitung also has a Geopark," he said. (*)
