NIAS ISLAND PREPPED TO ENGAGE INTERNATIONAL SURFERS, TOURISTS by Fardah

Sabtu, 21 Sep 2019 11:09

Daerah : Jakarta

Jakarta (ANTARA) - With the international maritime event of Sail Nias 2019 being organized from July to September 2019, the government is stepping up the promotion of Nias Island as a surfing haven for international visitors.

The Indonesian government’s steadfastness to transform Nias into a global tourist destination gateway was echoed by Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan while officially opening Sail Nias at a peak ceremony held at the Teluk Dalam Seaport, South Nias District, North Sumatra Province, on Sept 14, 2019.

Various activities organized during the event included the Wonderful Nias Expo 2019, battleship parade, Nias Marathon, culinary bazaar, and traditional art and cultural performances.

Other activities comprised Wind Surfing and Sailing Contests, Free Diving Competition, Stone Jump Festival, Coffee Festival, Fishing Tournament, Wonderful Tourism Photo Expo, One Thousand Tents Festival, the Mt Sitoli cultural seminar, and Traditional Fishing Boat Parade, with the participation of some 100 fishermen boats.

A ceremonial stone jump tradition is the icon of Nias and has already gained popularity among travelers. The stone jump tradition was born along with the Nias War Dance. Since primeval times, tribes in Nias would oftentimes clash among themselves, and the chief (siulu) of every tribe trained their young members for war; stone jumping being part of the training.

The 2019 Sail Nias event involved four districts and a city on the island of Nias, specifically Gunungsitoli City and the districts of South Nias, West Nias, Nias, and North Nias.

It unveiled Nias Island as the best-kept secret of Indonesians to the world.  Among the top secrets of Nias Island is Sorake Beach, recognized as the second-best place to surf, after Hawaii.

SAIL INDONESIA 2019 TO UNVEIL BEST SECRET OF INDONESIA: NIAS ISLAND

Kategori : National News (NAT)

Jumat, 14 Jun 2019 21:05

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah

Jakarta, 14/6 (Antara) -
Nias Island, located in North Sumatra Province and often considered the best kept secret of Indonesians, will be unveiled to the world at an international maritime event to be organized from July until September 2019.

Sail Nias, the 11th series of Sail Indonesia, will be opened at a ceremony in Teluk Dalam (Bay), South Nias, on September 14, 2019. Sail Indonesia is part of plans to accelerate the development of underdeveloped regions in Indonesia.

Various activities will be organized during the event, including Wonderful Nias Expo 2019, an international surfing contest, a battleship parade, Nias Marathon, a culinary bazaar, and traditional art and cultural performances.

Other activities will include Wind Surfing and Sailing Contests, Free Diving Competition, Stone Jump Festival, Traditional Fishing Boat Parade, Coffee Festival, Fishing Tournament, Wonderful Tourism Photo Expo, One Thousand Tents Festival, and the Mt Sitori cultural seminar.

At least 100 thousand Indonesian and foreign tourists are expected to come for Sail Nias, whose main activities will be held from September 10 to 14, according to Hidayati, head of the North Sumatra tourism office.
Sail Nias will offer an opportunity to promote Nias globally and boost the local economy, Zaman K. Mendrofa, a prominent figure, remarked recently.

SAIL SABANG TO HELP MATERIALIZE YACHT DESTINATION DREAM by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 2, 2017 (Antara) - Sabang coastal town, located on Indonesia's western most island of Weh, is known for its beautiful marine panorama.
         Sabang has become a favorite place for marine tourism lovers for performing various activities, such as diving, snorkeling, fishing, sun-bathing, and visiting interesting spots.
         Weh Island is very exotic and romantic, as it is surrounded by a number of small islets. Besides, its strategic location, Weh Island, located between the Indian Ocean and the Malacca Strait, is easily accessible by both domestic and foreign tourists.
         Therefore, many parties have called for making Sabang a tourism icon of Aceh Province, and even of the country.
         Sail Sabang, held from Nov 28 to Dec 5, 2017, is expected to help materialize a dream of turning Sabang into a world-class yacht destination. 
    The peak event of Sail Sabang was inaugurated by Vice President M Jusuf Kalla in Sabang on Dec 2, 2017.
         Kalla has reminded inhabitants of Weh Island in Aceh Province that friendliness and good services remain key to lure tourists.
         He lauded the implementation of Sail Sabang, which focuses on the development of tourist destinations.
         Indonesia is blessed with scenic maritime areas, and the government and the Tourism Ministry should promote them, he stated.
         "The ministry should spread good information. People must visit the places out of curiosity and not just to enjoy the beaches," he remarked.

ACEH PROVINCE GEARS UP FOR SAIL SABANG 2017 by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 28, 2017 (Antara) - Sail Sabang, this year's edition of annual international maritime event Sail Indonesia, will be centered on Weh Island, Aceh Province, from Nov 28 to Dec 5, with the aim of promoting tourist destinations in Indonesia's westernmost province of Aceh.

         Themed "Developing Sabang as a Gate of Global Marine Tourist Destination," the event will be held at four locations, namely Sabang Bay, Sabang Fair, Gapang Resort, and Kilometer Zero.

         On Dec 2, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is scheduled to officially inaugurate the event at Pasiran beach, Sabang Gulf, where a cargo harbor will be built.

         The sail event will be highlighted with mass traditional dance performances, Sabang Wonderful Expo, Aceh Fun Dive, International Aerobatic Show, International Diving Competition, and a Coffee and Culinary Festival, among other things.

         Indonesian warships, such as KRI Bima Suci and KRI Dewa Ruci, will also participate in the event.

         The Tourism Ministry has planned to turn Sail Sabang into a momentum to launch a Sabang-Phuket-Langkawi shipping route, which is considered as a golden triangle axis.

         Tourism Minister Arief Yahya hoped that the event would help promote Weh Island as a marine tourist resort of international standard.

          The opening of Phuket-Langkawi-Sabang route is expected to boost yacht or cruiser business.

          "We have reached a cooperation agreement with the marinas in Phuket and Langkawi. We have to make the goal to open a triangle route with Sabang a success," the minister noted.  

KETAWAI ISLAND SCENERY CHARMS FOREIGN YACHTERS by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 24, 2016 (Antara) - The annual international maritime event Sail Karimata Strait concluded in North Kayong, West Kalimantan, on October 15.

         But the journey of the participating foreign yachters continued up to Ketawai Island, an uninhabited island having the natural beauty of white-sandy beaches with amazing underwater scenery.

           Ketawai Island is located in Central Bangka District, about 18 kilometers from Pangkalpinang, the capital city of Bangka Belitung Islands Province. The island is renowned for its crystal clear waters, colorful fishes and coral reefs. 
     Because of its amazing panorama, the island has been included in the list of places recommended to be visited as part of the Sail Karimata Strait activities, which include Jambi, Riau Islands and Bangka Belitung Islands Provinces.

         Since the last few days, as many as 22 yachts from eight countries had anchored in Ketawai Island beach.

         The yachts were from Germany, France, US, Sweden, Australia, Switzerland, Italy and Singapore.       
    Five of them had arrived on October 15 and later left for Tanjung Pinang, while 17 just arrived few days back and planned to stay until October 24, Mukhlisin of the local organizing committee of the international maritime event, said on October 23.

         The Ketawai administration also organized traditional cultural and art performances to entertain the visitors.

WONDERFUL SAIL 2 INDONESIA TO PROMOTE BANGKA BELITUNG TOURISM by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 20, 2016 (Antara) - Some participants of Sail Karimata Strait, this year's version of Wonderful Sail 2 Indonesia series,  have moved from North Kayong, West Kalimantan, to Bangka Island, Bangka Belitung Province, Sumatra.

          They will be attending more cultural events and enjoying the beautiful panorama.

          The Bangka Belitung Province, together with Jambi and Riau Islands, is co-hosting the Sail Karimata Strait with President Joko Widodo attending the peak event in Datuk Island Beach in the Sukadana sub-district, North Kayong, on Oct. 15.

          The Sail featured a national seminar on maritime affairs, organized in Jambi on August 25, 2016, and will witness the Belitung Festival on October 22 and the Riau Islands Maritime Festival on October 29.

          Currently, seven of the 30 yachts with some 110 crew members from 14 countries have arrived at the Bangka Island.

          Yachters from Italy, France, Australia, the Philippines, the Netherlands and the US are participating in the Oct 19-24 event in Bangka Belitung.

          Deputy District Head of Bangka Rustamsyah hoped that the Sail Karimata Strait will help promote tourism.

          "I am optimistic that all those countries which attended the Wonderful Sail 2016 at Parai Tenggiri Beach in Sungailiat will result in more tourists visiting the Bangka Island," he stated on Oct. 20
     He hoped that some 100 foreign ship crews joining the rally will inform their fellow citizens about the natural beauty of Bangka.

NORTH KAYONG WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL YACHTERS AND JET SKIERS by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 6,2016 (Antara)- North Kayong District, located in West Kalimantan Province, is the first region on Kalimantan Island to host a peak ceremony for the international maritime event Sail Indonesia 2016, known as Sail Karimata Strait.

         The previous Sail Indonesia events were held on Sumatera, Sulawesi or Papua islands.

          Sail Bunaken was held in North Sulawesi in 2009, Sail Banda in Maluku in 2010, Sail Wakatobi-Belitung in Southeast Sulawesi and Bangka Balitung in 2011, and Sail Morotai in North Maluku in 2012.

     Additionally, Sail Komodo was in East Nusa Tenggara in 2013, Sail Raja Ampat in West Papua in 2014, and Sail Tomini was held in the provinces of Central Sulawesi and Gorontalo in 2015.

          The Sail Indonesia series are aimed at promoting Wonderful Indonesia tourism, which seeks to lure 12 million foreign tourists in 2016.

         The Tourism Ministry has identified marine tourism as having a huge potential, though it has been overlooked.
   As the world's largest archipelagic nation, some 70 percent of Indonesia's territory is water, with 17,480 islands and a 92,000-kilometer long beach and coastal areas, the second longest after Canada.

        It also has some 5.8 million square kilometers of marine territory, which constitutes a huge marine tourism potential.

        Indonesian authorities have eased entry permits for yachts in certain seaports, hoping that yachting tourism will increase by 2019.

         According to statements made at the Yacht Forum held in Jakarta last year, the Tourism Ministry is expecting 4,000 yachts by 2018.

INVOLVEMENT OF YOUTH IN SAIL KARIMATA STRAIT 2016 by Fardah

Jakarta, Sept 24 (Antara) - The annual international maritime event, Sail Indonesia, being dubbed as Sail Karimata Strait this year, is being implemented quite differently than its previous editions.

         Hundreds of university students and some 300 scouts from 34 provinces across the country are actively involved in the organization of the Sail Karimata Strait.    
    They come from the Jakarta-based University of Indonesia, the Bogor University of Agriculture, the Bandung Institute of Technology, the Jakarta-based Trisakti University, the Yogyakarta-based University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the Banda Aceh-based Syiah Kuala University.

         All of them have come together as Sail Karimata Strait task force, a group of some 2,000 people, including naval officers. The task forces are called Surya Bhaskara Jaya and Pelantara (Nusantara Circle Sailing), and the Nusantara Jaya expedition.

         Surya Bhaskara Jaya Task Force aboard the Indonesian warship KRI Makassar-590, and Pelantara aboard KRI Surabaya-591 have been assigned in civic missions in Indonesian remote areas, prior to the peak event of Sail Karimata Strait.

         They departed from the Tanjung Priok Seaport in North Jakarta on Sept. 22, and were seen off by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

         "The involvement of the younger generation, the future of the nation, is expected to improve their awareness about the maritime wealth and potential of Indonesia," Luhut Pandjaitan said.   
    The minister called upon the participants to help promote Indonesia, which is one of the largest maritime nations in the world.

News Focus- INTERNATIONAL YACHTS READY TO PARTICIPATE IN DARWIN-AMBON RALLY by Fardah

Kategori: National News (NAT)
17:04 Kamis, 11 Agustus 2016

Jakarta, Aug 11 (Antara) - At least 22 yachts will set sail from Darwin Harbor, Australia, on August 13, as part of the 32nd annual Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race and Rally (DAYR) 2016.
  
To honor the participants, the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia and City of Darwin will host an "Ambon Night" cultural event in Darwin on the evening of August 11. Indonesian delicacies will be served and traditional music as well as dances will be performed, particularly by artists from Ambon.
  
Ambon is located approximately 355¿ T from Darwin. Yachts usually enjoy fresh south-easterly winds until they enter the Ambon Harbor. The hills around Ambon can rein the breezes to a zephyr - a half a knot ebbing tide can then become a major obstacle to reaching the finishing line, according to information available on the official website of DAYR.
  
In Ambon, the capital of Maluku Province, the local authorities are gearing up to welcome the international sailors.
  
On arrival, all yachts are welcomed by the firing of a parachute flare. This also alerts the locals of the arrival of another vessel, and several residents head to the beach at Amahusa Village to watch and welcome the sailors.

PARTICIPANTS MESMERIZED BY NTT'S CHARMS DURING SAIL INDONESIA'S STOPOVER by Fardah

Jakarta, Aug 1, 2016 (Antara) - The exotic natural beauty and unique culture of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have charmed more than 100 foreign sailors aboard 37 yachts currently making a stopover on their way to participate in Sail Indonesia.  
     The yachts taking part in the Sail Indonesia 2016 Rally have come from various countries and began their journey from Darwin, Australia.  
     Entering Indonesia through the country's southern gate on Koepan Beach, Kupang City, NTT, since July 25, the yachts are from Australia, France, the United States, New Zealand, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Marshall Islands, and Switzerland, among others.
          The participants took part in a city tour arranged by members of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies on July 30, according to Head of the NTT Tourism and Creative Economic Office Marius Ardu Jelamu.
          "We are mesmerized by the traditions, traditional dances, and culture of this region, as well as the exotic natural beauty," Mrs Beel, one of the participants, stated in Kupang on August 1.
          In the evening of July 30, the Kupang municipality had hosted a gala dinner to introduce the local culinary delicacies to the participants. At the dinner, various traditional dances were organized to entertain the participants.
          "We are highly grateful for the welcome event. We are pleased and really enjoying Kupang," Beel stated.
          On August 2, the participants will be divided into two groups that will proceed respectively to the east toward Wini Beach in North Timor Tengah District and to the west toward Rote Isle to enjoy sightseeing in NTT.  

SAIL KARIMATA STRAIT 2016 TO INVOLVE FOUR PROVINCES by Fardah

  Jakarta, May 30, 2016 (Antara) - The annual international maritime event of Sail Indonesia this year is called Sail Karimata Strait 2016 and will involve four provinces located on Kalimantan and Sumatra Islands: West Kalimantan, Jambi, Bangka Belitung, and Riau Islands.

        Its peak event will be held in North Kayong District, West Kalimantan, on October 15 and is expected to be officially kicked off by President Joko Widodo.

        Besides the peak event, the main activities will include a national seminar on maritime affairs to be organized in Jambi on August 25, 2016; Belitung Festival on October 22; and Riau Islands Maritime Festival on October 28.

        A series of activities to welcome the Sail Karimata Strait, however, will begin on June 1, Safri Burhanuddin, deputy IV of the coordinating minister of maritime affairs, stated during a coordination meeting on the event held recently in Jakarta.

        The meeting was attended by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli and Industry Minister Saleh Husin.

        Rizal Ramli observed that the event, which is part of annual Sail Indonesia, must yield benefits for the community.

        "As requested by the President, we don't want it just to be another event. We want to see benefits before and after the activity, for the community. The development should also be more coordinated," he added.

SEA, HEARTHBEAT OF GORONTALO PROVINCE'S TOURISM by Fardah

    Jakarta, Sep 1, 2015 (Antara) - The word "Gorontalo" derived from "Hulontalangio", which is a name of one of Sulawesi's kingdoms. "Hulontalangio" was later shortened into "Hulontalo".

    Reportedly, Dutch colonizers had difficulty in pronouncing "Hulontalo" and instead called it as "Gorontalo".

       Gorontalo Province is a new autonomous region after separating from North Sulawesi Province on February 16, 2001.

        It has five districts - Gorontalo, Bone Bolango, Pohuwato, North Gorontalo and Boalemo Districts, and a city - Gorontalo City, the provincial capital.

        Based on the 2014 data, the population of Indonesia's 32th province is 1,115,633. It covers a total area of 12,435 km2 and shares borders with North Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi in the east and west respectively, Sulawesi Sea in the north, and Tomini Bay in the south.

CENTRAL SULAWESI GEARS UP TO WELCOME SAIL TOMINI'S GUESTS by Fardah

        Jakarta, Aug 7, 2015 (Antara)- The Central Sulawesi administration is gearing up to welcome international and domestic guests participating in the international maritime event Sail Tomini 2015 next month.

       The preparations for the implementation of Sail Tomini, which is this year's edition of the annual Sail Indonesia event, have reached more than 75 percent.

       All preparations, particularly concerning infrastructure, must be completed by August 31, Secretary of the national organizing committee of Sail Tomini Dedi Sutisna stated while chairing a meeting on the preparations of the event held in Parigi, Central Sulawesi, on August 5.

FOREIGN WARSHIPS CONFIRM PARTICIPATION IN SAIL TOMINI by Fardah

    Jakarta, June 19, 2015 (Antara)- Central Sulawesi, as the host of Sail Tomini, the seventh edition of the annual international maritime event Sail Indonesia, is gearing up to welcome domestic and foreign warships that will participate in a sailing pass.

       Some 20 foreign warships have been invited to join the sailing pass, or a parade of warships, organized to highlight Sail Tomini 2015 at Pangi Beach, Parigi Moutong District, Central Sulawesi, on September 19, 2015.

      President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is expected to attend the peak maritime event.    
  Prior to the Sail Tomini peak event, the government will organize Boalemo Festival in Tilamuta city, Gorontalo Province, which is expected to be attended by Vice President Jusuf M. Kalla, on September 10, 2015.

         The agenda of Sail Tomini encompasses 24 activities such as a yacht rally, a maritime research expedition, a sailing pass, exhibitions, and scientific seminars. The event is expected to be attended by 10 thousand guests.
   Some 100 foreign yachters from various countries are expected to participate in Sail Tomini 2015.

SAIL TOMINI EXPECTED TO GIVE LONG TERM ECONOMIC BENEFITS by Fardah

    Jakarta, May 8, 2015 (Antara) - The international maritime event Sail Tomini and Boalemo Festival 2015 were jointly launched by nine ministers, two governors, and two district heads at the Epicentrum Hotel, Jakarta, on May 5, 2015.

         The theme of the annual event is "The Pearl of Equator for Future Life" and its logo depicts a Phinisi traditional sailing boat of Sulawesi.

        The logo and theme are in accordance with the vision of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in developing Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic nation, as a maritime axis.

         President Joko Widodo once said that Indonesia's future was on the sea and that the government would continue to strengthen its maritime sovereignty in line with its declaration of the concept of the world maritime axis.

         "We have to be convinced that our future is on the seas," said  Jokowi  in his address at the commemoration of the Archipelagic Day in Kotabaru, South Kalimantan, in December 2014.  

MINISTER MAHARANI TO LAUNCH SAIL TOMINI IN JAKARTA NEXT WEEK by Fardah

   Jakarta, May 1, 2015 - Sail Tomini, the seventh edition of the international maritime event Sail Indonesia, will be officially launched by Coordinating Minister for Culture and Human Resources Development Puan Maharani in Jakarta on May 5, this year.     
   The peak event of Sail Tomini will be organized in Pangi Beach, Parigi Moutong district, around 75 kilometers west of Palu city, Central Sulawesi, on September 19, 2015. 
   "As the host, the provincial administration of Central Sulawesi wants to make the launch of Sail Tomini 2015 a success," Deputy Governor of Central Sulawesi Soedarto stated while chairing a coordination meeting held to discuss the launch preparations last week.   
   President Joko Widodo is scheduled to officially inaugurate Sail Tomini, which is part of the annual international maritime event Sail Indonesia.

PAPUA EAGER TO HOST SAIL CENDERAWASIH BAY IN 2018 by Fardah

   Jakarta, Dec 17, 2014 (Antara) - Indonesia has endless maritime beautiful scenery extending from Sabang in its western-most province of Aceh Darussalam to Merauke located in the eastern-most province of Papua, to offer to foreign as well as domestic tourists.

        Being one of the world`s largest maritime countries with about 5.8 million square kilometres of marine territory, Indonesia has some 92,000 km-long beach and coastal areas, the world's second largest after Canada.

        The country is the biggest archipelagic state in the world, with around 70 percent of its territory as water and it has 17,480 islands.      

SAIL TOMINI TO PROMOTE CENTRAL SULAWESI AS INTERNATIONAL TOURIST DESTINATION By Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 9, 2014 (Antara) - Next year will be the turn of Central Sulawesi province to be promoted as an international tourist destination through the maritime event, Sail Tomini 2015.

         The exact date of the Sail Tomini 2015 event has yet to be decided, but it will be held in the Parigi Moutong district of Central Sulawesi---a heterogeneous region where local tribes such as Tomini, Tinombo, and Moutong live together with migrants from other islands, including Bali.

WARSHIPS, MILITARY OFFICERS SECURE SAIL RAJA AMPAT EVENT by Fardah

    Jakarta, Aug 19, 2014 (Antara) - The sixth edition of the annual Sail Indonesia international maritime event, Sail Raja Ampat, is being organized in West Papua province from August 17 to 24, 2014.

        President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and several VIP guests such as ministers and foreign ambassadors are scheduled to attend the main event of Sail Raja Ampat in Waisai Torang Cinta Beach in Raja Ampat District, on August 23, 2014. Yudhoyono will also inaugurate several development projects in West Papua.

         Due to the presence of high-profile guests such as presidents and other eminent dignitaries, security measures have been heightened in Raja Ampat and its surrounding areas in the eastern Indonesian region.

RAJA AMPAT READY TO CHARM SAIL'S PARTICIPANTS by Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 18, 2014 (Antara) - "Don't die before going to Raja Ampat," West Papua Governor Abraham Octanianus Aturury recently stated while promoting Sail Raja Ampat 2014 in Jakarta.

        He is not exaggerating while describing the panorama of Raja Ampat, which has abundant natural resources and underwater beauty that has been included in the list of the world's ten best underwater paradises.