Jakarta,
Sept 30, 2017 (Antara) - The international cycling race of "Tour de
Banyuwangi Ijen" (TdBI) 2017 has combined sports and tourism events to
offer unique and unforgettable experiences to some 100 participants from
29 countries.
The
participating countries included Iran, Japan, South Korea, South
Africa, Eritrea, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Ireland,
Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Colombia, and New Zealand.
Held
on Sept 27-30, the international professional cyclists and tourists
have enjoyed the special hospitality offered by the host, according to
Banyuwangi District Head Abdullah Azwar Anas.
"The
TdBI has become the best cycling race event in Indonesia, so we will
use it to promote Indonesia, in general, and Banuwangi, in particular,"
he noted.
During the race, cyclists passed through iconic locations in Banyuwangi, which has been known as the Sunrise of Java.
During the race, cyclists passed through iconic locations in Banyuwangi, which has been known as the Sunrise of Java.
The TdBI, first held in 2012, has become an annual agenda for the Union Cycliste Internationale.
A
total of 20 teams participated in the event ranked as "excellent" by
the World Cycling Race Federation that has declared it as the best in
Indonesia.
The cycling teams include the PCS Cycling Team from the Netherlands,
Pishgaman Continental Team from Iran, LX Cycling Team of South Korea, 7
eleven RBP of the Philippines, BRCC of Indonesia, Bikelife Dong Nai of
Vietnam, and Sapura Pro Cycling Team of Malaysia.
The
533-kilometer-long race was divided into four stages. The race route
covered Watudodol Beach, Bangsring Underwater, cacao village in
Glenmore, and Ijen Mountain, among others.
Hundreds
of local artists performed traditional dances to welcome the guests to
mark the opening and start of the event in Banyuwangi City.
A
day prior to the start, the participants took part in an environmental
campaign by releasing turtle hatchlings into the Cacalan Beach, where
female turtles usually lay their eggs.
In the second stage, the participants started from a cocoa plantation,
and they sampled fresh and hot local chocolate before racing.
In the fourth stage, the cyclists started from the Darussalam Islamic
boarding school, and they wore local traditional Muslim outfits, with
sarongs and kopiah caps.
"We wish to introduce 'pesantren' (Islamic boarding school) culture to
the world. This is indeed my special request as a way to demonstrate to
the world that Islam is a tolerant religion. Pesantren is an Islamic
educational institution based in Indonesia that spreads values of
tolerance," the Banyuwangi district head remarked.
Anas
had earlier urged all liaison officers to maintain a record of
information regarding the approach that pesantrens adopt to instill
values of tolerance.
Last year, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya had lauded the successful
implementation of the International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (ITdBI) in
Banyuwangi District on May 11-14, 2016.
"It was a successfully organized world-class event. It succeeded in
reviving the tourism industry and also helped promote new destinations
at the global level," Minister Yahya had noted.
Cyclists from nearly 29 countries participated in the ITdBI 2016.
The
participants hailed from Spain, Italy, San Marino, the UAE, Kenya,
Japan, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South
Korea, China, Laos, and Indonesia.
The
sports tourism event was organized to help support the government's
Wonderful Indonesia program that is expected to attract some 20 million
foreign tourists by 2019.
Located
in the eastern tip of Java Island, Banyuwangi District has been blessed
with scenic beaches and mountains. The region enjoys moderate climate,
with temperatures usually lying between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius.
The
Ijen Crater located in the western part of Banyuwangi is famous for its
scenic crater lake, traditional sulfur miners who climb up and down the
slope of Mount Merapi, and plantations that cover the crater's slope.
The National Park of Meru Betiri is famous for its Java Tiger and turtles.
Banyuwangi District in East Java Province deserves to be called the city of cultural and traditional art festivals for successfully organizing annual festivals since 2012 for boosting tourism.
Banyuwangi District in East Java Province deserves to be called the city of cultural and traditional art festivals for successfully organizing annual festivals since 2012 for boosting tourism.
Last
year, Banyuwangi had organized some 50 festivals, including 20 new
attractions, such as the Canal Rafting Festival, Sailing Ship Festival,
Underwater Festival, and Badeng River Tubing Festival, in addition to
the Paddy Planting Festival, and Fishery Festival, Anas stated.
In 2015, the district had held 38 festivals.
This year, Banyuwangi has planned to organize 72 activities to enliven the 2017 Banyuwangi Festival.
For
successfully holding festivals in the last five years, the Tourism
Ministry has adjudged Banyuwangi District as the best festival city in
Indonesia.
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(f001/INE)
EDITED BY INE/a014
(T.F001/A/BESSR/A. Abdussalam) 30-09-2017
(f001/INE)
EDITED BY INE/a014
(T.F001/A/BESSR/A. Abdussalam) 30-09-2017
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