IO – Since the appointment of a new Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Government has enacted a scheme of “5 Super-Priority Destinations” which will be accelerated and maximized to develop tourism. One of them is Likupang.
5 Super Priority Destinations are Lake Toba, Borobudur, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo and Likupang. This year, it is expected that the construction of an airport, the extension of the runway, the toll road, to tourism support facilities will be completed.
5 Super Priority Destinations are more important than the 10 Priority Destinations. But interestingly, there is one name that is not included in the 10 Priority Destinations but included in the 5 Super Priority Destinations. This is Likupang. Located in North Minahasa, North Sulawesi, it is rarely heard in the ears of the Indonesian people. However, since President Jokowi established Likupang as a Super Priority Destination in June 2019, Likupang began to be heard everywhere.
Especially when a variety of natural panorama photographs circulating on social media, many people are curious about the tourist area at the end of the province of North Sulawesi. Understandably, Likupang is dominated by a row of beautiful beaches with an amazing blue sea wrapping.
One of the most discussed spots is Lihaga Island. With an area of around eight hectares, Lihaga Island has tremendous potential, despite being uninhabited. It has a stretch of fine white sand, its seawater is blue, ready to amaze every eye that is watching.
It is more exciting because its underwater biota is still unspoiled. You can enjoy the beauty by snorkeling while greeting the beautiful fish that swim among the coral reefs.
If you are not satisfied, you can also play on Pulisan Beach, which is located not far from there, to the north. This beach has three parts separated by rock cliffs jutting into the sea. The most favorite area in Pulisan is the cave near the beach. This is just a rock cliff shaped like a cave and in direct contact with the sea.
For those who enjoy a beautiful sunset or just enjoy taking pictures, Pulisan Hill could be the right location. Pulisan Hill has a stretch of grassland directly opposite the beautiful sea. Arguably this is one of the best spots to enjoy the Pulisan Beach area.
Various facilities and infrastructure are ready to be built to encourage the development of tourism in Likupang. One of them is the cultivation of the Manado-Bitung toll road, 39 kilometers long, and the widening of the bypass from Sam Ratulangi Airport to Likupang, 31.5 kilometers long.
What’s more, the capacity of Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado will also be expanded, for the sake of increasing the comfort of tourists who want to travel to the Likupang region. (Pramitha Hendra)