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Yefman Island to be Entry Point for Raja Ampat Tourism
WINDONESIA June 1, 2024
Raja Ampat Tourism Office Head Ellen Risamasu. (TribunSorong/Willem Oscar Makatita).
The Raja Ampat Regency Tourism Office plans to designate Yefman Island in North Salawati District, Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua Province as the main entry point for tourism in Raja Ampat.
Yefman Island boasts the Polymict Breccias of Yefman as a significant tourist attraction. This geological site is valued for its unique rock formations from various eras, providing a rich point of interest for visitors.
According to GeoHeritage, the Polymict Breccias of Yefman consists of gray-black rocks from the Oligocene period (34-23 million years ago) containing fragments of Triassic granite (251-201 million years ago), limestone, and sandstone from the Permian Kuantan Formation (299-251 million years ago).
This geological significance has prompted local authorities to commit to making Yefman Island the primary gateway to Raja Ampat tourism.
Raja Ampat Tourism Office Ellen Risamasu emphasized that Yefman Island has several potential attractions. Besides its ancient limestone formations, it also features historical sites from World War II.
"Therefore, we will work with the local community to enable them to manage these attractions themselves," said Ellen Risamasu at her office in Raja Ampat on May 28, 2024.
"There should be engaging activities such as traditional dances, Papua fashion shows, handicrafts, and local cuisine," she added.
The Tourism Department plans to establish a tourist information center on the island, which was once used by the Dutch as an air force base. This center will serve as a reporting point for tourists heading to Misool or Waisai islands, enhancing their travel experience through Yefman Island.
Source: sorong.tribunnews.com
