Belitung Revives Tourism Through Menyirih Festival

RRI.CO.ID, Pangkalpinang - In a display of cultural preservation, approximately 1,000 residents of Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, gathered for a mass betel-nut chewing (menyirih) event on Friday, May 22, 2026. The mass gathering was organized to preserve the ancestral tradition while simultaneously serving as a strategic catalyst for the revival of regional tourism.

The mass menyirih event took place at Tanjung Pendam Beach and served as the centerpiece for the opening of the 2026 Napak Sire Belitung Cultural Festival. The initiative is part of a broader regional effort to accelerate economic growth and elevate the local tourism sector.

Bangka Belitung Islands Governor Hidayat Arsani, who joined the 1,000 residents in the mass chewing circle, emphasized the deep-rooted societal values embedded within the practice. "This betel chewing tradition is a cultural heritage of the community that must be protected and preserved," he said, as quotd by Antara.

He noted that menyirih extends far beyond a simple customary practice, carrying profound symbolic meanings of mutual respect, communal harmony, and the collective solidarity needed to build the region.

The Governor also issued an urgent call to action for the younger generation to take up the mantle of cultural custodianship. He warned that local traditions risk being swallowed by the rapid pace of modern developments if youth do not actively participate.

"I hope the younger generation will be creative and innovative, so that local culture can be introduced more widely to the world," Hidayat urged.

Belitung Regent Djoni Alamsyah Hidayat echoed these sentiments, expressing strong optimism that the annual cultural festival would successfully trigger a much-needed economic boom for local communities.

He highlighted that the sekapur sirih or menyirih culture has officially garnered serious attention from the central government as a vital pillar for regional heritage revival, making the festival an ideal trigger to support the broader tourism industry across Belitung Island.

Marking a major milestone for the province, the Ministry of Tourism officially recognized the event during the opening ceremony. The Ministry presented a prestigious award to Governor Hidayat Arsani, formally designating the Napak Sire Cultural Festival as one of the 125 selected featured events in the national Kharisma Event Nusantara (KEN) 2026 calendar. ***