The groundbreaking of the Serang Panimbang Toll Road Section 3 Cileles- Panimbang has been carried out by Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment with Basuki Hadimuljono as the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, on the Sp. Labuhan- Cibaliung STA 16 + 500 road section, panimbang toll exit, Monday (08/08/2022).
It is projected that the Serang-Panimbang Section 3 toll road will be completed by the end of 2023 where previously the Serang- Panimbang Section I Serang – Rangkasbitung Toll Road was already operating and Section 2 Rangkasbitung – Chileles was in the final stage.
Accelerating Tanjung Lesung tourism
Responding to this, Poernomo Siswoprasetijo as President Director of PT Banten West Java (BWJ) admitted that he was happy and appreciated the hard work of the Ministry of PUPR and related parties who carried out the construction, such as the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) and Wijaya Karya Serang Panimbang WSP. Because, the groundbreaking shows strong proof of the government’s great commitment to realizing infrastructure development in Banten.
Poernomo also hopes that the synergy of support from the PUPR ministry and related parties will continue for the smooth implementation of construction. This is because, if the Serang Panimbang Toll Road – which crosses three districts, namely Serang, Lebak and Pandeglang Regencies – operates, it will accelerate the development of tourism areas around the Banten area, including the Tanjung Lesung Special Economic Zone.
“Therefore, we hope that the construction of the Serang-Panimbang Section Three Toll Road can run smoothly. Because, its presence will provide direct benefits for tourism that automatically the economy of the surrounding Banten community, including Tanjung Lesung which is in it,” explained Poernomo.
Facing the trend of “revenge” tourists
The current condition of Tanjung Lesung tourists – both local and increasing – continues to increase every month as the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic is getting under control. Where in line with the report of the Central Statistics Agency which states that the number of foreign tourists to Indonesia has increased, namely in June 2022 as many as 345,440, then May 2022 by 212,300 people and April 2022 by 114,100.
Furthermore, Poernomo said that in the midst of the start of construction of the Serang-Panimbang Toll Road section three and foreign tourist visits gradually recovering, Tanjung Lesung made preparations and added tourist attractions in order to provide comfort and security. Because, currently there is a trend of ‘revenge’ tourists that must be addressed properly for the sake of Tanjung Lesung can be a choice of vacation destinations for families or tourists.
“First, we are committed to always implementing health protocols strictly and disciplined. This commitment can be seen from the results of our CHSE (cleanliness, health, safety, Environment) certification which received a 100 percent or satisfactory figure from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy,” explained Poernomo.
Second, Tanjung Lesung – one of PT Jababeka Tbk’s independent city projects – has a variety of accommodations at varying prices so that it can suit the needs of tourists. Tanjung Lesung itself has just added the availability of lodging rooms with the presence of Villa Tara, a homestay in the Ladda Bay Village villa complex. As a result, said Poernomo, the total rooms in Tanjung Lesung to meet the needs of tourists have reached around 1,000 rooms.
“Third, Tanjung Lesung provides exciting activities with families as many as 25 and 12 instagramable fot spots that tourists can explore. That’s because Tanjung Lesung is the most complete and largest playground with an area of 1,500 hectares,” explained Poernomo.
There are 25 exciting activities in Tanjung Lesung, including riding the jetski stand up paddle board, kayak, snorkeling, diving, or playing ATV, and the latest joy flight package to watch the panorama of Mount Krakatau with Cessna 152 & 172 aircraft.
“Currently, we are in the process of adding more tourist attractions. The priority tourist project that we are building is Fauna Land Kid Zoo, a zoo for family recreation in collaboration with PT Fauna Land Indonesia. We are trying to make the Fauna Land Kid Zoo can be opened when the Serang-Panimbang Section Toll Road operates,” poernomo concluded.
