REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, AMBON -- Netherlands Ambassador to Indonesia, Rob Swartbol, said that Ambon is a pearl that has potential of promising natural resources.

"Ambon as the capital of Maluku is a pearl in eastern Indonesia, because it has potential of nature that is very beautiful and interesting," he said during a visit to Ambon, Wednesday (11/11).

According to him, Ambon has history relations with Netherlands, even it occurred since the colonial times. It was proved by many historical relics and public facilities of Netherlands that were still maintained in Ambon.

Rob explained, tourists from Netherlands were the most tourist who visited Maluku, compared to other countries. The data collected, stated that the number of Netherlands tourists in visiting Maluku reached 16 thousand people per year.

"This number will certainly increase, because family relationships between Maluku citizens in the Netherlands is quite a lot," he said.

He said, a number of factors that should be improve by the local governments and communities on tourism development in Ambon were cleanliness of environment and supporting facilities.

"Hygiene is a major factor, then if it can be developed properly, more tourists will come to visit Ambon," he added.

The cooperation between Netherlands and Ambon would be carried out not only in maritime sector, education, health, and food security, but also in tourism. The collaboration would begin with the construction of hotels on Banda Island, Central Maluku by a Netherlands businessman.

"This effort is the first step in development of maritime potential in Maluku and Banda Island became one of Maluku attractive tourism potential to be developed," Rob explained.

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