Jakarta (ANTARA) – Ministry of Tourism is supporting the development of Wamena in Jayawijaya District, Highland Papua Province, as one of the country's leading cultural and agrotourism destinations.During a working visit to Wamena on Thursday (Aug 6), Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa said the region's rich indigenous traditions, cultural heritage, and local flagship products offer authentic travel experiences for visitors.According to Ni Luh in a press statement on Friday, the more than 300-year-old mummy preserved in Aikima Tourism Village could become one of the area's main tourist attractions.The mummy of Wirafak Elosak, a tribal chief believed to have lived during the era of intertribal warfare, along with the oral history surrounding his body's preservation, provides a unique cultural narrative that could appeal to tourists.The vice minister also said local authorities could offer immersive experiences in Kumugima Tourism Village, where visitors can stay with indigenous communities and witness traditional stone-burning cooking ceremonies, cultural dances, and daily life in the traditional honai house.In addition, tourists could be invited to observe artisans producing Papua's traditional noken woven bags, she said.Ni Luh added that the local government could also further develop agro-tourism based on Wamena's pineapple and coffee plantations.”We want to encourage tourism growth by building on the strength of local culture and the unique potential of each region,” she said.Ni Luh expressed hope that by developing and packaging more tourism attractions in Wamena, it can increase tourist arrivals to improve community welfare.The ministry has launched various programs to support regional tourism development, including the Tourism Village Program aimed at strengthening rural economies and improving the welfare of village communities.The government is targeting the development of a network of more than 6,200 tourism villages, providing assistance for tourism village managers and tourism awareness groups as well as facilitating halal certification for businesses operating in tourism villages.The ministry is also promoting the development of special-interest tourism products, including gastronomy, marine tourism, wellness, traditional textiles, and arts and design, to attract higher-spending visitors.Government support includes product curation, tourism package development, and mentoring to improve the quality of tourism services. The ministry also supports the organization of uniquely Indonesian events through the Karisma Event Nusantara and Event by Indonesia programs.She said international tourists have begun showing greater interest in exploring Wamena.She noted that after discussing with several Italian tourists visiting Wamena, she learned that they had included the town in their travel itinerary after visiting Raja Ampat to experience its distinctive culture and attend the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival.According to the minister, the tourists' interest demonstrates Wamena's strong potential as a culture-based tourism destination.She therefore encouraged stronger collaboration between the local government and relevant stakeholders to develop Wamena into a leading cultural tourism destination while promoting sustainable tourism.