BELITUNG. The Tourism Ministry is set to develop Tanjung Kelayang in Belitung as a special tourist site following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dharmawangsa Group.

“Bangka-Belitung province has the potential to attract at least 100,000 tourists within the next four years, which hopefully can increase its regional income,” said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya in Belitung on Tuesday.

He called on locals to be actively involved in developing tourism in the region and to always preserve the environment at the tourist destinations.

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“The government will support infrastructure and electricity developments,” said Arief.

In addition to signing the MoU, Arief also welcomed the arrival of the 2085 Time Capsule Expedition in Belitung, a project which is part of the country’s 70th anniversary celebrations and was inaugurated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in Sabang, Aceh, on March 10.

The time capsule is set to tour all 34 provinces in the archipelago to collect dream objects and information that will be stored for 70 years. Belitung is the ninth region visited by the time capsule before it continues its journey to Lampung.

The expedition is scheduled to end in Merauke, Papua, on Dec. 22, where the time capsule will be erected as a monument until 2085 alongside a diorama of the nation's journey.

“The Time Capsule Expedition is meant to connect today and future generations through common national aspirations and dreams,” said Arief. (Novani Nugrahani)