Place of Worship Management Supports Tourism Development in TMII
PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko (Persero) hopes that the management of the House of Worship in the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) area will also support tourism there. The diversity of Houses of Worship in TMII is a potential to see Indonesia which has a wealth of patterns and values in it.
This was discussed during an online gathering and dialogue between PT TWC and the management of the House of Worship in the TMII area. Through this activity, it is hoped that the transition process will be supported by all parties and bring the development of TMII in a better direction.
"We both agree to advance TMII in the future. The TMII area is a destination area. We hope that activities at the House of Worship can run well, and of course there are activities that can attract tourists' attention. Usually if there are religious activities, there must be cultural activities. This is what we want to develop together," explained Corporate Secretary of PT TWC Emilia Eny Utari when opening this activity, Wednesday (21/7/2021).
This event was attended by the managers of 7 Houses of Worship in TMII, including the managers of the Prince Diponegoro Mosque, Arya Dwipa Arama Temple, Santa Catharina Catholic Church, Kong Miao Temple, Penataran Agung Kertabhumi Temple, Haleluya Protestant Christian Church and Sasono Adiroso Pangeran Sambernyowo. Houses of Worship in TMII are a reflection of the diversity of beliefs that are protected and are the wealth of the Indonesian nation.
The manager of the Santa Catharina Catholic Church, Yohanes Eko Ballan, said that TMII has great potential to be developed. Cultural diversity is one of the attractions that should be developed more seriously.
"TMII is a cultural center. Its potential is huge. We are trying to collaborate what is in TMII and in accordance with the teachings of the church," he said.
In the Catharina Church itself, religious processions with strong cultural elements have been carried out several times. According to Eko, this is actually favored by the congregation and tourists directly.
“Before the pandemic, during the Palm Sunday Parade, we went around the House of Worship in TMII. All participants wore regional clothing. In 2019, the theme was tribes in NTT. This is one of the events that the congregation and tourists are waiting for in TMII,” he continued.
One of the managers of Kong Miao Temple, Budi S. Tanuwibowo, said that there must be synergy and full support from the TMII management in advancing cultural programs at the House of Worship.
Support can be many and varied. In addition to ideas, TMII management also needs to support the agenda of promoting worship activities outside. I think in the future TMII will be even more crowded by developing religious and cultural activities," he said.
One of the administrators of Sasono Adiroso Pangeran Sambernyowo Retno Lastani hopes for good management in the future. The administrators of the Indonesian Supreme Council of Beliefs (MLKI) who since 2007 have also supported a number of arts and cultural activities to introduce various Beliefs in Indonesia.
"We plan at Sasana Adisrasa there will be interesting activities in the form of arts and culture training activities, such as singing, dancing and culinary training. We hope that in the future it will be better and can cooperate with the parties determined," he said.
Emilia added that there needs to be cooperation and support from various parties to realize the management of TMII as a showcase of Indonesian culture. "We hope that we can work together better. We work together for better management of the House of Worship. There are things that we need to develop, because this destination is a showcase of Indonesian culture," so that later religious activities with cultural nuances need to be held to become the attraction of the TMII destination. she concluded.
