THE EDITOR – As many as 420 awards, both national and international, were won by Danny Pomanto during his tenure as Mayor of Makassar, South Sulawesi.
One to note, Danny himself has served as mayor of Makassar since 2014. He managed to win 2 gala elections at the mayoral level until he lost at the provincial level not long ago.
These awards are the fruit of relentless hard work in building the city with amazing innovations. Some of them are to attract the tourists, making Makassar the perfect place to visit.
So, what are the tourist destinations that you can enjoy when visiting Makassar?
Tourism Alley
Tourism Alley or Lorong Wisata built by the Makassar City Government was originally Danny Pomanto’s brainchild. It was built during his second term as mayor.
It has won many awards, including the 2023 TV One Nation Building Innovation Award and Indonesia Awards 2023 Outstanding Awards For Integrated Initiative category.
There are more than 5,000 tourism alleys that tourists can visit in Makassar. These laneways were also built to develop the local economy. However, they are so beautiful that many regional heads and ambassadors take the time to visit them.
The theme of each alley is different from each other, making its existence even more special. So, for anyone who likes to enjoy sightseeing in urban spaces, Makassar will be one of your favourites.
Makassar International Eight Festival (F8)
Makassar is one of the cities in Indonesia that has the ability to organise international art and cultural festivals. Makassar International Eight Festival, widely known as F8, emerged from an idea by Danny Pomanto who wanted to introduce the beauty of Makassar’s marine tourism.
Danny Pomanto has won many awards because of F8, such as the Indonesian Figure Appreciation 2024 from Tempo Media. According to them, F8 is not an ordinary art and cultural event as foreign delegates never miss to attend this festival every year.
Danny Pomanto also managed to make the F8 festival a Top 10 Charisma Event of Nusantara by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. So, take your time off in July to enjoy the beauty of Makassar’s food, fashion, fusion music, film, fine art, fiction writers, folks, and flora and fauna in this festival.
Phinisi Ship
Danny Pomanto is indeed capable at developing his city’s tourism sector. He even utilised the legendary Phinisi Ship.
The exoticism of the Phinisi Ship that has been recognised by UNESCO is indeed the target of many tourists. Knowing this, Danny Pomanto built 2 units of phinisi ships in the middle of Makassar City, precisely at Center Point which is close to the sea.
Because of his creativity, Danny Pomanto received appreciation from Minister of Culture Fadli Zon. He is considered brave to revive the existence of Phinisi Ships in the heart of Makassar.
With this ship, he wants to introduce Makassar’s beautiful maritime tourism to tourists. He is known to regularly invite his guests from abroad to sail on the ship.
Therefore, Tempo Media and Kompas TV honoured Danny Pomanto for his high commitment in tourism and public transparency.
Makassar Low Carbon City
Do you like travelling to places where the air is clean? Makassar is the answer!
In order to adapt to climate change, the Makassar City Government launched a low-carbon initiative that includes using renewable energy such as solar panels, electric vehicles, and electric-based waste management.
This programme was awarded the 2024 Regional Leader Award because Danny Pomanto was considered committed to supporting sustainable development.
Makassar as The City of Delicious Food
Tourism is nothing without culinary specialities. For this reason, in 2023, Danny Pomanto made an update by branding Makassar as The City of Delicious Food.
Danny’s decision was actually taken as his effort to control regional inflation. He launched at least 11 typical and delicious culinary specialities of Makassar to the public such as jalangkote, pisang ijo, coto Makassar, sop saudara, konro, mi kering, nasi kuning, pisang epe, seafood, barongko, pallu basa and many more.
This method is reportedly successful. In 2023, Makassar attracted 42% of Indonesian tourists, and was named by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy as a creative city in the culinary sub-sector.
That’s tourism in Makassar. So, are you ready to travel to this city?
