Festival & Travel Mart 2011 : Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat Located off the northwest tip of Bird's Head Peninsula on the island of New Guinea, in Indonesia's West Papua province, Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, and the smaller island of Kofiau. It encompasses more than 40,000 km² of land and sea, which also contains Cenderawasih Bay, the largest marine national park in Indonesia. It is a part of the newly named West Papua (province) of Indonesia which was formerly Irian Jaya.

Raja Ampat has a population of 50,000 inhabitants. Most of the work as fishermen and ecotourism, which is developing the last seven years. Raja Ampat Regency who was born in 2003 has a 429,462 hectare conservation area. Raja Ampat consists of four main islands, namely Salawati, Wajeo, Lisol, and Batanta, with 640 islands of Little Raja Ampat . This regions are now become one of the destinations of foreign tourists interested in nautical tourism. Crystal clear waters, coral reefs, which became the spawning fish, and beautiful ornamental fish became the main attraction area.


Raja Ampat traveling destination held more charm to unspoiled , and would be promoted to the international community through the Festival & Raja Ampat Travel Mart which will be held 20 to 23 October 2011 at the Coastal Travel Waisai Raja Ampat. Head of Department of Culture and Tourism Destinations Raja Ampat Regency Ramadei Niko explained that the Festival and Travel Mart this year Raja Ampat is organizing the second times.

During the festival period, a series of activities will be held, among other arts and cultural performances, photo contest scene, underwater photo competition, exhibition, seminar on submarines, as well as training of Papuan ethnic cooking seafood. Some details of the festival is Underwater Photo Competition, Paddle Boat Race, the orientation of the water, beach sports like volleyball, etc., and local cultural attractions. Local cultural attractions will be presented by the Raja Ampat and participants from other districts.

Festivals & Travel Mart will also feature Raja Ampat Raja Ampat community cultural attractions. Two famous attraction is the proficiency using traditional boats used in the ancestors across the sea and eating habits of local communities in mangrove fruits.

Raja Ampat Marine Festival scheduled to become an annual event to increase the flow of tourists. Currently, there Papua Baliem Valley Festival in Wamena Jayawijaya, Asmat Festival, Festival Kamoro in Timika and Jayapura Sentani Lake Festival.