RRI.CO.ID, Wamena – The uniqueness of Kumukima Tourism Village and the historical heritage of the Aikima Mummy continue to be preserved by the people of Jayawijaya Regency, Highland Papua Province. The Ministry of Tourism has invited visitors to come and witness these unique traditions firsthand in an effort to help the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival (FBLB) maintain its position among the top 10 events in the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program.

Indonesian Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ni Luh Enik Ermawati, said the tourism potential of Highland Papua, particularly Jayawijaya Regency, was extraordinary.

“Earlier, together with the Minister of Cooperatives, the Regent, and the Deputy Regent of Jayawijaya, we visited the tourism village in Kumukima and saw the mummy at Aikima Tourism Village. We were very pleased with this first visit to Wamena,” she said in Wamena on Friday, August 7, 2026.

She said the Jayawijaya Regency Administration had organized the 34th Baliem Valley Cultural Festival this year with an exceptional concept. In addition to presenting cultural attractions, the event also featured the Wamena Coffee Festival and Noken Street Fashion.

“We are very pleased to be here and witness the preparations for and implementation of the 34th FBLB in 2026, which includes cultural attractions, the Wamena Coffee Festival, and Noken Street Fashion,” she said, as quoted by Antara.

She explained that Jayawijaya Regency had tremendous potential in nature-based tourism, culture, and coffee, and that these assets needed to be developed into sources of income for the region and its people.

“There is enormous tourism potential here, particularly in the traditional and cultural wealth found in places such as Kumukima and Aikima tourism villages. We have also seen the potential of coffee here, and this is a task that must be addressed collectively to increase tourist arrivals and the length of visitors’ stays,” she said.

She expressed hope that collaboration between the regional administration and the Ministry of Tourism would lead to an increase in the number of visitors attending the FBLB and exploring the region’s natural and cultural attractions.

“Through collaboration, we can increase tourist arrivals and improve the welfare of Indigenous people in Jayawijaya and Highland Papua more broadly through the tourism and agrotourism sectors,” she said.

She added that Jayawijaya also had significant agrotourism potential, including coffee and pineapples. These assets require full support from both regional and central governments to develop them into attractions capable of drawing tourists to the area.

“We hope the tourism sector will continue to grow in the future, supported by the strength of the local cultural roots. These roots must be properly protected and preserved,” she said.

She viewed the FBLB as a major attraction for international and domestic tourists visiting the region, adding that its uniqueness and strengths needed to be jointly protected and preserved.

“We invite tourists to come here and witness the FBLB firsthand. Their presence will encourage local communities to preserve their traditions and culture. We hope the FBLB will continue to rank among the top 10 events in the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program and improve its quality so that it can attract more tourists to the area,” she said. ***