0 Festival expected to improve Karangasem’s image

Tirta Gangga festival, held Sunday, was expected to improve the image of Karangasem regency as a cultural tourism destination, regent Wayan Geredeg said. Geredeg said the regency, in the eastern part of Bali, had been nominated as one of 10 heritage cities in Indonesia. The regency also boasted many historical sites that would be proposed for inclusion on world heritage lists. Tirta Gangga is one of these well-preserved sites in the regency, while other notable places include Besakih temple, Karangasem palace and Taman Ujung. 

Built in 1948, Tirta Gangga is a water garden owned by the Karangasem kingdom. Located some 80 kilometers from Denpasar, it has been developed as one of the best destinations on the island’s eastern tip. Geredeg said that with support from the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, the festival would contribute significantly to help local people promote the regency’s tourism. He said there had been a continuous increase in the number of tourist arrivals at the regency’s 15 best destinations. “Most of the tourists are from Europe, America and Australia. 

In the future, we hope the festival can be improved to reach out to more people,” he said, adding that the regency would participate in tourism promotion activities to those countries. The festival, for which entry was free, took place only for one full day this year. Bagus Surya, one of the organizers, said the event had been timed to run during the year-end peak season in the hope that it could attract more visitors. The festival was aimed at exposing Karangasem’s potential, ranging from handicrafts to traditional foods, as well as art and cultural performances, including genjek, angklung, cakepung and joged. 

A famous Balinese comedian, Cedil, performed as the festival’s guest star. “We presented local arts and culture that originated in Karangasem, performed by local artists that have proven their ability to attract visitors,” Surya said. M. Faried, the ministry’s director for domestic promotion, said that there had not been many festivals held outside southern Bali. However, the ministry would further expand its tourism promotion agenda to other areas with great potential, such as Karangasem. “Tirta Gangga is a festival based on heritage, held in a place inherited from the past. 

The regency also has a number of heritage sites that have been well preserved.” He expected that the festival could be an annual event held for at least three days, with wider promotion, more varied activities and involving more young people. He added that the festival could possibly also be held during the low season to boost tourist arrivals.

source : bali daily