In the last five years, Mount Latimojong has become a tourist magnet in Enrekang, South Sulawesi. It is a blessing that has come from mountain climbing and tourist visits to the mountain.
By
Reny Sri Ayu
·5 minutes read
In the last five years, Mount Latimojong has become a tourist magnet in Enrekang, South Sulawesi. It is a blessing that has come from mountain climbing and tourist visits to the mountain.
Early one morning in September, Australian tourists Thomas and George set foot for the first time in Karangan hamlet of Latimojong village, Buntu Batu district. Karangan is the last hamlet at the foot of Mount Latimojong where climbers and outdoor enthusiasts generally gather before starting their climb.
Thomas and George were attracted to the Mount Latimojong even though it is located thousands of kilometers from their country. By word of mouth and from information they found on the internet, the two came to climb the highest mountain on Sulawesi, nicknamed the “Roof of Sulawesi”.
The pair’s goal was to reach the mountain’s Rante Mario Peak, located at an altitude of 3,478 meters above sea level. They got ready early in the morning to make the climb following an overnight stay at a villager\'s house. A guide and a porter accompanied them.
Rahman, a bank employee in Balikpapan, and his younger brother, Akhiruddin, who also worked at a bank in the same city, was also making the same attempt on Latimojong. It is one of the mountains on their “to do” list. "We have been preparing since last year. We took leave from our jobs. From Latimojong, we will go to Mt. Rammang-Rammang in Maros," said Rahman.
In the first and second weeks of September, hundreds of climbers from many regions came to hike Latimojong\'s steep slopes. Other visitors also arrived in the area to enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the villages in the foothills of Mt. Latimojong.
New economy
Five years ago, the people living in the vicinity of Mt. Latimojong mostly worked on coffee plantations and horticultural farms. Climbing the mountain was something they did daily.
“A new awareness has grown in the last five years as more and more people visited the mountain. They need guides, porters, food and transportation. The people began to see opportunities," said Darwin, the manager of Kalimbua hamlet’s Pohon Pustaka.
Pohon Pustaka is more than a community library. Darwin and his colleagues also manage a nature lovers group. They provide guides, porters, ojek (motorcycle taxis) and jeeps. The hamlet is home to many other nature lovers groups.
Climbers making an attempt on Latimojong usually arrive at Baraka. From there, they head to Karangan by jeep or ojek, the only transportation to the hamlet. The journey takes between two and three hours.
A round-trip ojek fare to and from Karangan costs Rp 300,000 (US$20), while the round-trip jeep fare is Rp 1.5 million. The jeeps can usually carry up to seven people.
Porters and guides cost from Rp 250,000 to Rp 300,000 per day. From Karangan, it takes three to four days to summit and descend Rante Mario Peak.
Syarifuddin, 42, guides at least two climbs a month and earns Rp 1.8 million-Rp 2.4 million for his service. He also manages a vegetable farm and coffee plantation.
Another villager, M. Aris, 38, provides ojek services and earns millions of rupiah every month. "It\'s just a part-time job. I also manage a coffee and vegetable farm," he said.
Meanwhile, Karangan hamlet resident Muslim, 40, decided to open a food stall; it is always crowded. He also sells prepackaged Enrekang coffee at his stall, one of the best types of coffee in South Sulawesi. Today, many Latimojong residents sell coffee as a souvenir.
As the Latimojong area grew as a tourist attraction, its residents slowly opened up to outsiders. Economic opportunities from tourism helped change their view of the area.
The local residents regularly hold meetings and discussions at Pohon Pustaka to increase their adaptability and tourism awareness.
Maintaining the environment is one of their most important points. "In addition, the residents have also improved the quality of coffee. Now, they sell coffee not only at the market, but also as souvenirs. Orders usually come from visitors," Darwin said.
Growth
Hamsir, the head of the Enrekang regency youth, sports and tourism agency, said that the area around Latimojong had become a major tourist destination. The number of visitors continues to increase every year. Last year, of the 35,000 tourists that visited Enrekang, 8,000 traveled to Latimojong, including around 300 foreign tourists.
Tourism has had a positive impact on the economies of several subdistricts. The regional administration continues to improve the roads leading to the villages in the foothills of Mt. Latimojong.
"We also educate the people to participate, for example by improving their homes to be used as homestays. We hope at least one room in each house is improved so that the people can earn extra income," said Hamsir.
The administration has also issued regulations on local tourism, such as on porters, guides and transportation, to ensure that all can enjoy the economic benefits from tourism.
At the Roof of Sulawesi, mountain climbing and other tourist activities have changed the local people\'s views on tourism, the environment and coffee. It is hoped that their welfare will also improve.