TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As one of the ten priority tourist destinations, Tanjung Lesung in Banten determines to boost the number of domestic and foreign tourist visits through its festival which will take place on September 27-29.

The festival will feature several events including Rhino Cross Triathlon and Mountain Bike Cross Country Marathon. The race consists of swimming, cycling, and running phases.

“This should become a creative and innovative event,” said Tourism Ministry’s Calendar of Events head Esthy Reko Astuti on Thursday, September 19.

Other than the sports competition, Kolecer Market will be opened, exhibiting a variety of creative industry works of Pandeglang. “This market has become a trademark for the empowerment of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs),” said Banten Tourism Agency head Eneng Nurcahyati.

There will be culinary spots, Kriya Market, Agriculture Market, and Fish Food Market in Kolecer Market, as well as music and art performance and Peteng Festival, a festival of ornamental kites.

Tanjung Lesung Festival is held in tandem with Ujung Kulon National Park to commemorate World Rhino Day which falls on September 22. “So several events is dubbed rhino,” she added.

The tourism development firm PT Banten West Java director president Poernomo Siswoprasetijo added that 200 people from 5 different countries have been registered to join Rhino Cross Triathlon and Mountain Bike Cross Country Marathon.

BRAM SETIAWAN