TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Sail Moyo Tambora, as part of Indonesia Sail 2018, has been launched to mark the start of tourism development in Sumbawa Island, one of the largest islands in West Nusa Tenggara along with Lombok Island, an official said.

"Since 2016, we have been setting the sail events across the archipelago to accelerate tourism development, which will also encourage other sectors to grow," Deputy for Maritime Culture of the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs Safri Burhanudin remarked during a press conference on Saturday night.

The government has pledged about Rp450 trillion investment to develop the tourism in Sumbawa Island, including through infrastructure and promotion, to follow the success of Lombok Island, which has been well-known for one of "new Bali" destinations in Indonesia.

Sail Moyo Tambora will be held in Sumbawa from September 9 to 23 with a series of event apart from yacht rally, including cultural parades, local products expo, paragliding, traditional buffalo race, horse race, music festivals, and fun run.

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As the event will take the area of Mount Tambora, the 9th most active volcano in the world, Sail Moyo Tambora`s participants will also have a chance to hike the 2,851 meters high.

"Sail Moyo Tambora will complement Moyo Festival that had been held annually," Burhanuddin said.

According to Acting Director of Marine Traffic and Transportation Wisnu Handoko, 24 yachts from 19 countries had docked in Labuan Bajo Port in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara and ready to sail to Moyo and Tambora in the west.

Up till Sunday, dozens yachts with flags of Australia, New Zealand, Chile, France, The United States, and The United Kingdom had arrived in Labuan Badas, Sumbawa.

During the event, the Indonesian Navy has sent Suharso Hospital Ship to provide medical assistance to the locals and Bintuni Ship that carries hundreds of scouts across the nation to participate in Sail Moyo Tambora.

ANTARA