Wakatobi Beyond Seven Wonders: Southeast Sulawesi's 7 Tourism Agendas for 2026 to Boost Tourist Visits

A series of festivals are being prepared to welcome thousands of tourists to Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra) in 2026. The Provincial Government (Pemprov) of Sultra refuses to be merely a spectator on the national tourism stage. Through the grand "Wakatobi Beyond Seven Wonders" strategy, Pemprov has prepared seven major tourism agendas to boost visits to Bumi Anoa.

Sultra Deputy Governor Hugua, long known as the tourism architect of Wakatobi, stated this policy is part of a grand strategy to attract tourists while developing the Wakatobi National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN) and its supporting regions.

"This approach divides Sultra into eight tourism zones. The national strategic tourism area with seven supporting zones will adopt a cluster-based approach," said Hugua in Kendari on Tuesday.

From Wakatobi to Buton

According to Hugua, these seven tourism agendas aren't just annual event lists. Each zone will feature a flagship festival scheduled for five to seven days annually, with regular rotations to give tourists reasons to return each season.

"This fixed schedule aims to provide clear guidance for tourists and businesses across regencies/cities while preventing overlapping agendas," he explained.

This initiative is expected to position Sultra as Eastern Indonesia's premier new destination, where each regency offers unique attractions—from blue beaches and ancient caves to mesmerizing mangrove ecotourism.

Toward the Nusantara Event Calendar

Hugua hopes these seven flagship events will eventually be included in the Ministry of Tourism's Nusantara Event Calendar (KEN). Currently, Sultra only has two nationally recognized events: Wakatobi Wave and Wowine Festival.

"Consistent annual execution will be key for these festivals to gain central government curation and national recognition, potentially qualifying for state budget funding," he emphasized.

To launch the new tourism year, Sultra Pemprov will kick off 2026 with an International Seminar themed "Sustainable Tourism" in Kendari City.

This event will symbolically mark the official implementation of the regional tourism calendar—a bell heralding Sultra's tourism awakening on the global stage.

Sultra's Seven Tourism Gems for 2026

Here are the seven flagship tourism agendas for Southeast Sulawesi next year:

1. Buton Festival

Centered at Baubau Palace, this festival spans four areas: Baubau City, Buton, Central Buton, and South Buton. The magnificent celebration of Buton Sultanate culture, combined with traditional dances and local cuisine, will be its main attraction.

2. Liangkabori Muna Festival

Exploring ancient Liangkabori caves in Muna and West Muna, visitors will witness thousand-year-old rock paintings—traces of early civilization in Sulawesi.

3. Rawa Aopa Festival

At the heart of Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park, South Konawe and Bombana present an ecotourism festival blending nature conservation with local culture, extending to parts of Kendari City.

4. Padamarang Island Festival

Held in Kolaka, this festival also covers North Kolaka destinations like Tamborasi Beach—home to the world's shortest river—and the mesmerizing Blue Lake.

5. Wawolesea Hot Springs Festival

Promoting North Konawe and Konawe, including the marine wonders of Labengki, this festival showcases natural hot springs harmonizing with tropical sea beauty.

6. Kendari Bay & Wawonii Island Festival

The marine tourism hub in Kendari City and Konawe Islands, featuring traditional boat races, seafood cuisine, and community celebrations along the bay.

7. North Buton Mangrove Festival

Highlighting Southeast Asia's largest mangrove area, this sustainable and educational tourism concept reaffirms Sultra's commitment to environmental conservation.

From Local to Global

Through cluster approaches and cross-regional integration, these seven festivals transcend ceremonial agendas. They represent Southeast Sulawesi's new tourism map, proving Bumi Anoa offers more than just Wakatobi.

From Buton dances to Wawonii's sea breeze, from Muna's ancient caves to North Buton's mangrove forests—2026 will be the year Sultra becomes not just a destination, but the journey's own compelling story. (Antara)