Pulau Weh Attract Foreign Tourist?

BANDA ACEH (AFP) .- When American tourists, Mollie Hightower and her husband Brian Hubler come to Pulau Weh for diving and snorkeling, he was a bit worried about wearing a bikini in an area where Muslim women are required to wear veils and long garments, every time.


He said, "Before I put on a bathing suit, I ask and ensure that the permissible back down with a bikini on the beach and they say this is okay in the resort area (the hotel)."
Hubler said it was strange to see women veiled and clothing that covers the whole body were on the beach with a tropical climate like this. "The most striking-and this may be beyond the reach of Sharia law, but in Islamic countries in general, the number of women's clothing should be worn in very hot weather and humid it feels amazing," said Hubler.
Tourism in Sabang is also known as Pulau Weh continued to grow since the peace agreement signed by the Indonesian government and local rebels, which ended the 30-year conflict in Aceh Province. The island is accessible only by ferry. But the location is remote and the implementation of Sharia law in Aceh did not discourage tourist arrivals.
One of the tourist industry leader Sabang is the owner of the hotel Freddie Rousseau. Former UN staff had first come to Aceh as part of humanitarian efforts following the tsunami in 2004. Natural D last year, his hotel, Relax Three wells, operating with 80 percent occupancy rate and a host of other new hotels being built.
Rousseau said those hotels have helped the local economy through the purchase of food and materials and create jobs.Local officials voiced strong support for the development of tourism as an important part of the island. It includes the freeing of Western visitors who are in the hotel from Sharia laws such as the prohibition to drink alcohol.
Rousseau says, "Although, according to Sharia law banned alcoholic beverages, the fact that I only sell alcoholic beverages to international visitors or non-Muslims to make the community also appreciate that aspect."
Although foreigners are not tied to the dress code was in Aceh in general, wearing a skimpy bathing suits and other revealing clothes are not welcome in Aceh, the only province in Indonesia to impose Sharia law.
Rousseau said the exemption for tourism rules do not apply to other laws. For example, he gave assurance to the government that he would not allow unmarried couples to sleep together.
Sabang mayor, Munawar Liza Zainal said there was no conflict between tourism and Islam throughout the tourists appreciate the local culture, which means, appropriate dress when visiting the village and not a noisy party.
He said the drinking and partying that can make people angry, it is not necessary. But if only for ordinary drinking, he said, Muslims should not prohibit non-Muslims do.
Zainal also said the local Muslim population sufficiently educated and have a strong moral to resist temptations.
Rousseau said that keeping the Sabang into a quiet, safe and clean as an alternative to Bali a very solid as Indonesia's main tourist attractions, the tourist industry is also of interest.
"We do not want to Sabang to Bali to-2. We want to keep this place clean where people can come and stay without interruption.Without congestion without pollution, "said Rousseau.
Rousseau said that international tourism can continue to grow in Sabang despite Sharia law as long as it remains in the region, private and local culture remain intact.
source: .pikiran-rakyat

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