PRIME NEWS POST

The INDONESIAN, (Jakarta) — The island of Nias holds vast natural wealth and cultural heritage with the potential to drive regional economic growth. However, its tourism development is still considered suboptimal. This was conveyed by Nias indigenous figure and member of the Central Board of Forum Lestari Indonesia (FLI), Edizaro Lase, in an official statement on Friday (Nov 20).

According to Edizaro, Nias’ world-class tourism attractions have yet to receive strategic attention in terms of management, promotion, and infrastructure development.

“Nias Island has world-class and highly strategic tourism potential. But the attention from local governments and relevant institutions remains minimal, whether in destination management, international promotion, or supporting infrastructure,” he stated.

Sorake: An Iconic Destination Still Underdeveloped

South Nias serves as a concrete example of untapped potential. Sorake Beach—internationally known as one of the world’s best surfing spots and often compared to Hawaii—has long attracted foreign surfers. Yet Edizaro said local conditions still do not reflect Sorake’s global reputation.

“Sorake’s popularity is not matched by professional management, so its economic impact remains insignificant for local communities,” he emphasized.

Megalithic Heritage and Indigenous Identity as Global Assets

Beyond surfing, Nias is home to uniquely significant cultural heritage, including the Hombo Batu (stone jumping tradition), the megalithic sites of Bawomataluo, the earthquake-resistant traditional architecture of Omo Sebua, and various ancestral rituals and war arts that define Nias identity.

Edizaro stressed that cultural preservation must be the core of tourism development, not merely a promotional accessory.

Key Challenges: Infrastructure, Promotion, and Community Involvement

The lack of basic infrastructure—such as access roads, public facilities, waste management, informational signage, and support for creative economy sectors—remains a major obstacle. Moreover, tourism promotion has not been carried out in a coordinated or international manner.

Equally important, indigenous communities have not been adequately involved in policy-making and destination management.

“The role of indigenous communities is essential to tourism sustainability. Without their active participation, tourism development will be exploitative and destructive,” Edizaro said.

Call to Action: Sustainable Tourism Roadmap

In response, Edizaro, together with Nias indigenous leaders and civil society members within Forum Lestari Indonesia, urges:

• Local governments across the Nias Islands
• The North Sumatra Provincial Government
• The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy

to adopt strategic measures, including:

• A sustainable tourism roadmap based on indigenous community engagement
• Development and improvement of tourism infrastructure
• Global promotion and international collaboration
• Capacity-building for local tourism actors and MSMEs
• Coastal conservation and preservation of megalithic heritage

Conclusion Nias Must Become a Model of Sustainable Tourism “Nias is not just a surfing destination, it is a cultural region with deep ecological and historical value. With collective commitment, tourism can become a source of prosperity while preserving indigenous identity,” said Edizaro.

He closed with a call for joint action, “We call on the government, indigenous communities, businesses, cultural organizations, and all stakeholders to move together. Nias’ potential must not remain mere discourse it must manifest through concrete development for future generations.”

“Editorial Note:
Reported by the PRIME NEWS POST correspondent, compiled from various media sources. Photo: documentation / public archive”