medcom.id, Wakatobi: Wakatobi Wonderful Festival and Expo (Wakatobi Wave) will be annual tourism event in Wakatobi. This is one of the ways by Wakatobi County to develop public participation to preserve the underwater heaven in the region.
In Wakatobi Wave 2015, all events were involving local residents. In the opening ceremony in Merdeka Square, Wangi-Wangi District, the local residents were very enthusiastic to participate in costume competition, colossal dance and Karia'a traditional procession attraction. From children to elderly, all residents joined the events.
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In the next two days, local residents were also active in several events. They did not come only as spectators. In the second day, fishermen participated in boat decoration competition and Bodi Batang and Ketinting boat races. Traditional dances became the event in the night.
Meanwhile in the closing day in 28 November, Panjat Pinang competition was held with participants ranging from elementary school students to adult men. Around a thousand people gathered to watch the spectacle.
One of the purposes of Wakatobi Wave is to create pride and public awareness to the potential of the ocean so public will voluntarily preserve Wakatobi's nature especially the ocean.
The effort to preserve environment cannot be separated from public awareness. IF fishermen still catch fish with poison and litter in the sea, Wakatobi Sea will be polluted and the coral, which is a precious asset, will be damaged.
The sea is damaged because, among others, the fishermen catch fish with poison. However, Wakatobi Tourism Destination Development Chief Siswadi said he is relieved several damaged corals have been recovered. He claimed Wakatobi's fishermen no longer catch fish with poison.
"Even if we find the case, it is done by fishermen from outside the region," said Siswadi.
Siswadi admitted public participation has large role to preserve Wakatobi's nature. Tourism conscious groups are developed. The groups will monitor the environment to prevent damage so it is solid effort to guard the environment.
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After the event this year, Wakatobi Wave will be held annually. Tourism Agency of Wakatobi plans to hold "Festival of Islands" that will promotes the uniqueness of each group of islands in Wakatobi.
Wakatobi area is consist of several group of islands namely Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko islands.
Festival of Islands is planned to be held in the three islands outside Wangi-Wangi islands then Wakatobi Wave as the main event will be held in Wangi-Wangi.
Wakatobi Wave 2015 ended in 28 November. The event was closed with awards for photography, costume, boat decoration and boat race competition participants. The event was ended with the performance of popular dangdut singer, Malinda.
The performance was followed by quiz. Officials from Wakatobi County were taking turns asking the spectators. The questions were related to maritime and tourism issues. The right answers were awarded by prizes like television, rice cooker and so on.
According to Siswadi, Wakatobi Wave is an implementation of commitment from central government to support tourism development in Wakatobi because since its establishment Wakatobi County has put maritime and tourism as leading sector.
"Development in Wakatobi led to ecotourism model so public in the future can participate and enjoy the tourism development. We don't want local residents only watch the tourism development. That is the one that being developed in Wakatobi," said Siswadi.
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