Traveldiva.id – Papua was admired by natural beauty, the cultural wealth and creativity of indigenous peoples. For the first time, The overall experience of Papua can be felt immediately since the first step is to set up the Land of Papua through the presence of Dobrai Lounge & Gallery at Domine Eduard Ookang Airport (DEO), Sorong.
According to Paulus Sapisa, Moi's Great Tribal Council, The inauguration of this lounge and gallery is the day awaited by the indigenous peoples. Indigenous people have dreams of how skills, dish, Culture and stories about forests and sea can be enjoyed by everyone.
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“We thank God and all those who have helped create this customary dream of this customary community,"Said Pastor Sapisa, In the inauguration of the lounge and gallery last week at Deo Sorong Airport (24/6/2025).
With a spirit “Your Papuan Experience Starts Here”, Doberai Lounge & Gallery not only presents visual experiences and tastes, but also invites reflection and appreciation of the customary community as a landlord, culture, and the future of Papua.
Doberai lounge was initiated by Econusa
Initiated by the Econusa Foundation, Dobrai Lounge is a space of encounter between local potential and global opportunities. Located at the strategic point which is the gateway to Raja Ampat and other eastern regions of Indonesia, This lounge welcomes tourists with an authentic and meaningful experience. Every visitor can taste, touch, and feel Papua.
A total of more than 50 superior products from MSMEs and indigenous communities originating from South Sorong, Tambrauw, Fakfak, Manokwari, Merauke, Jayapura, until Raja Ampat was curated and displayed visually and narratively to introduce the story behind the product. The products displayed are not only beautiful, but full of cultural meaning and identity.
No less important, Dobrai Lounge also presents a typical Papuan dish that inspires the taste. All menus presented are based on forest products, garden, and the Papua Sea and processed by local hands full of love and traditional knowledge. Some of them can be directly enjoyed as a banquet such, sinole, and asar fish, which is formulated not only for filling, but also introduces culinary narratives as a living cultural heritage.
This lounge is a concrete example of a restorative economic spirit which has been fought for by Econusa, namely local community -based development that respects cultural values, strengthen the rights of indigenous peoples to their living space, and building economic resilience from below.
Meanwhile, Suardi Tamal, Head of the South Papua Daya Industry and Trade Cooperative Office, appreciated Econusa, which had bridged indigenous peoples to market their products through Doberai Lounge and Gallery.
"This is a form of collaboration that must be maintained between the government, NGOs and customary society. Collaboration like this which also makes us the government will continue to strive to facilitate indigenous peoples to continue to develop,He said.
Head of the Forestry Environment Office of Southwest Papua Province, Kelly Kambu who was also present at the inauguration said, The inauguration of the lounge and gallery is a sacred event that has just happened and is dreamed of by all native Papuans (OAP).
"OAP is often lost hope, And with the existence of this indigenous peoples gallery, it seems to be a new hope for Merauke. If you wait for the government to take time, So we really appreciate and will continue to support this collaboration,”Kelly said.
One of the UMKM business people whose products are sold in Dobrai Lounge and Gallery are Sinagi Papua. Founder Sinagi Papua, Yuyun Yunita said, This is the right solution for MSMEs that are often constrained by marketing their products.
"I am very happy and cannot be described in words. Because actually our problem is always downstream. And this is the solution we expect. We are very grateful for everything who already supports,"Yuyun said.
On the other hand, CEO Econusa, Bustar Maitar, say, This lounge is a meeting of indigenous peoples' products. All the stories, natural products from forests and sea can be presented and valued.
"In Dobagi, We serve local food produced by indigenous peoples. Raw materials from the land and sea of indigenous peoples. Here are presented traditional foods like Sinole, comes TUmbuuk, sago noodles and asar fish. "
