Jakarta — Domine Eduard Osok (DEO) Sorong Airport in Papua launched Doberai Lounge & Gallery, showcasing over 50 products from Indigenous entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises across Papua, including South Sorong, Tambrauw, Fakfak, Manokwari, Merauke, Jayapura, and Raja Ampat.
Located at the key gateway to Raja Ampat and eastern Indonesia, the Doberai Lounge, initiated by the EcoNusa Foundation, invites travellers to experience the flavours, stories, and creativity of Papua’s Indigenous peoples from the moment they arrive, the foundation said in a statement on Wednesday, July 2. The lounge marks a milestone for the Moi Indigenous community and many others across Papua. Each item is accompanied by its own story, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the cultural roots behind every creation.
“This is a dream come true,” said Paulus Sapisa, Head of the Moi Customary Council, during the inauguration ceremony on June 24. “For the first time, our skills, food, culture, and stories can be shared with the world.”
In addition to artisanal products, the lounge offers a menu of traditional Papuan dishes made from forest, garden, and ocean harvests, such as sinole, keladi tumbuk (mashed taro), and ikan asar (smoked fish). These meals are prepared by local hands, utilising traditional knowledge to turn food into a form of cultural storytelling.
EcoNusa CEO Bustar Maitar said the lounge “is a meeting point of Indigenous knowledge and global opportunity”. He said, “here, the forest and sea of Papua are honoured through the products and dishes offered.”
Government officials from West Papua’s cooperative, trade, and forestry sectors praised the initiative as a model of collaboration between communities, NGOs, and the state. Kelly Kambu, Head of the West Papua Forestry Office, said the launch was a “sacred event”. “It brings new hope for Indigenous Papuans.”
The launch underscores EcoNusa’s commitment to restorative economy, supporting Indigenous rights, cultural values, and grassroots economic resilience. As the tagline reads, “Your Papuan Experience Starts Here.” (nsh)
Banner photo: Doberai Lounge at Sorong, Papua launch event, June 24 (Source: EcoNusa)
