“We have over 100 potential tourist spots, but only 36 have established management and recorded visitor numbers. These include those within the Ciremai National Park, as well as private and regional management areas. The majority of visitors are domestic,” Ritto explained recently.
The most popular destinations for visitors include Cisantana and the hiking trails of Mount Ciremai. Ritto noted that during weekends, hotel occupancy in Kuningan reaches nearly 45%, boosting local revenue through tourism-related activities. “When the weekends come, you can see the positive impact. Food vendors and souvenir sellers also benefit from the increased foot traffic,” he added.
With such promising potential, Kuningan’s government aims to exceed 4 million tourist visits by 2025. To capitalize on this growth, plans include hosting large-scale international events like the Tour de Linggarjati. Ritto anticipates that this event will attract tourists from both domestic and international locations.
“The upcoming Tour de Linggarjati will draw participants from outside the city and abroad. We’re expecting over 100 individuals, and they often come with crews, so the tourism sector will definitely see an influx. Participants from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Australia have already signed up,” Ritto shared.
Preparations are in full swing, with the organizing committee mapping out the event locations and competition routes. The Tour de Linggarjati is planned for two days in September. “We’re currently promoting the routes and various competitions. This is our strategy to attract international tourists through sports tourism, as many are also interested in cultural and historical experiences,” he noted.
In addition to the Tour de Linggarjati, Kuningan’s government will organize traditional cultural celebrations, such as Sabtonan, Sedekah Bumi, and Babarit, to further enhance tourism. “For Kuningan’s anniversary, we’ll hold a Sabton event, showcasing equestrian skills in a grand performance celebrating the heroic tales of our local figures,” explained Ritto.
To elevate Kuningan’s tourism profile, the government plans to collaborate with local content creators for promotional efforts. “We’re committed to strengthening Kuningan’s tourism branding, ensuring it resonates with local businesses while reevaluating effective strategies. That’s why we’re gathering content creators as partners to unify our messaging and work together to advance tourism,” Ritto concluded.
