Pangkalpinang – The Provincial Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports Office of Kepulauan Bangka Belitung continues to strive to strengthen the tourism sector through cross-sector collaboration and strategic discussions. This commitment is reflected in the presence of the Office’s Head, Wydia Kemala Sari, as a guest in a podcast entitled “Bangka Greets the World: The Impact of the Gulf War on Babel Tourism” held at El John Radio Studio, Pangkalpinang, on Tuesday (5/5/2026).
Present at the discussion were Martinus Johnnie Sugiarto, Founder and Chairman of El John Indonesia, Yohanes Nikolas Manurung as General Manager of Aston Emidary Bangka Hotel, as well as Hongky Lie who is the owner of La Terrase Bistro and a Pangkalpinang’s culture-bearer. This podcast serves as an inspiring dialogue discussing various challenges and opportunities in the tourism sector amid global dynamics.
In a stimulating discussion, the guests reviewed how conflicts in various parts of the world, including the escalation in the Middle East, could have a direct impact on regional tourism, particularly in the Bangka Belitung. One of the issues highlighted was the domino effect of rising aviation fuel prices, which in turn led to an increase in ticket prices, thus affecting tourists' interest in visiting.
In addition, changes in international tourist travel trends also became a concern. Global uncertainty is pushing tourists to be more selective in choosing destinations and tend to reduce long-distance travel. This situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the province to strengthen the domestic market and enhance the competitiveness of local tourist destinations.
Wydia Kemala Sari emphasized the importance of adaptation and innovation in facing global dynamics. She said that cross-sector collaboration is a key in strengthening promotion, enhancing service quality, and maintaining the attractiveness of Bangka Belitung tourism in the eyes of tourists.
This podcast also serves as a strategic step in expanding the promotion of Bangka Belitung tourism to national and international levels through creative and digital media. It is hoped that the synergy between the government, industry players, and the community can continuously drive the growth of the tourism sector and provide a real contribution to the regional economy.
Through this kind of strategic discussions, Bangka Belitung demonstrates its commitment to becoming a leading destination that is resilient and adaptive in facing various global dynamics.
