BANYUWANGI IJEN, BARELANG CYCLING EVENTS LIFT INDONESIAN TOURISM by Fardah
Jakarta, May 18, 2016 (Antara)- A number of Indonesian regions such as
Banyuwangi, Batam, East Nusa Tenggara, North Sumatra, and Papua have
followed the step of West Sumatra that has successfully organized Tour
de Singkarak since 2009, to promote local tourism.
The sport tourism has helped support the government's Wonderful
Indonesia program which is expected to receive some 12 million tourists
this year.
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya lauded the successful implementation of
the International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (ITdBI) in Banyuwangi
District, East Java Province, from May 11-14 this year.
"It was a successfully organized world-class event. It succeeded in
reviving the tourism industry and also helped promote new destinations
at a global level," Minister Arief Yahya said in a statement on May 16.
Banyuwangi, located on the eastern tip of the Java Island, is an
exemplary district that accords priority to developing tourism,
according to him. "Foreign teams were happy and enthusiastic about the event," he noted. Esthy
Reko Astuti, deputy in charge of Nusantara Tourism Marketing
Development, said flights to and from Banyuwangi, as well as hotel rooms
in Banyuwangi City were full during the ITdBI. At least 99 cyclists from 29 countries participated in the International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (ITdBI) 2016. The
participants hailed from Spain, Italy, San Marino, the United Arab
Emirates, Kenya, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, South Korea, China, Laos, and Indonesia. The race started in Sidodadi Glenmore and concluded at the Blambangan Park in Banyuwangi City. The
participants, grouped in 14 international teams and six domestic teams,
were flagged off by Chairman of the Indonesian Cycling Federation Raja
Sapta Oktohari and Head of the Domestic Promotion of the Tourism
Ministry Hendri Kamoza, among others, at the start line last Tuesday. Some
of the teams, such as Singha Infinite of Singapore, Trengganu Cycling
Team of Malaysia, 7 Eleven of the Philippines, and Ukyo Cycling Team of
Japan, had taken part in the ITdBI last year. The
newcomers included the Down Under team of Kenya, Kinan Cycling Team of
Japan, Wisdom Henxiang Cycling Team of China, Black Inc Cycling Team of
Laos, and Geumsam Insam Celo of South Korea. Peter
Pouly of Singha Infinite from Singapore, the winner of ITdBI 2014 and
2015, won again this year, but later the jury decided to revoke the
trophy because he used a bicycle which is lighter than those set in the
criteria. Banyuwangi, known as the Sunrise of Java, has organized the annual ITdBI since the past five years. The
race route, which covers a total distance of 567 kilometers, includes a
climb to Mount Ijen, known across the world for its blue flame. Banyuwangi
District Head Abdullah Azwar Anas noted that this year's race included
new routes to showcase novel tourist destinations. Anas also hoped that this year, the ITdBI would maintain its predicate of excellence that it had won last year. The key to maintaining this achievement is by guaranteeing the safety of all participants, he remarked. The ITdBI has been included in the annual calendar of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). "According
to UCI, ITdBI is one of the seven best cycling races in Asia. It has
encouraged us to be more detailed in organizing the race, and every
year, we always strive to lend new colors to the ITdBI," Anas added. Organized
almost coinciding with the ITdBI, was Tour de Barelang which was
participated in by at least 214 cyclists from 23 countries, in Batam on
May 14-15, 2016. The
category race was held on May 14 and the Granfondo category on the next
day, Head of the Batam tourism office Yusfa Hendri stated recently. The
race, covering a 130 kilometer-(km)-long route, started from the
Sekupang International Seaport and moved toward the Barelang Bridges
1,2,3, and 4, and then to Sembulang Island through the Barelang Bridges 5
and 6. Of
the 214 participants in the category race, 20 cyclists were
from Indonesia; 36 from Australia; 46 from Britain; eight from the
United States; seven from the Philippines; four from France; three each
from the Netherlands and New Zealand; two each from Belgium and
Ireland; and one each from Sweden, Norway, Spain, South Africa, Canada, India, and Switzerland. The Granfondo category covered a 90-km-long route, and was joined by 109 cyclists from 18 countries. The
participants included 42 cyclists from Singapore; 17 from Britain;
eight from Australia; five each from Malaysia and Indonesia; four each
from France, Canada, and India; three each from Japan, New Zealand, and
Ireland; two each from Poland, Germany, the United States, and the
Netherlands; and one each from Italy, the Philippines, and Switzerland. In
the meantime, the ongoing cycling event is the first Tour de Flores
which is being participated in by some 230 cyclists from 25 countries,
on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, from May 16 to 26,
2016. The
cycling race is scheduled to be officially flagged off by Coordinating
Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli in Larantuka, East Flores, on
May 19. Covering a total distance of 615 km, the participants are expected to finish in Labuan Bajo on May 26, 2016. President Joko Widodo is scheduled to be present at the finish line on May 26. East
Nusa Tenggara Governor Frans Lebu Raya planned to organize the Tour de
Timor (TdT) next year in a bid to replicate the success of the Tour de
Flores (TdF) event. "After
taking the tourists to Flores Island during the TdF, next year, we will
continue with the TdT, where foreign visitors will be offered a tour of
Timor Island up to Rote," he stated in Kupang, on May 17. ***1*** (f001/S012)
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