TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bukittinggi City, West Sumatra Province, will be the finish point and venue for the closing ceremony of international cycling race Tour de Singkarak (TdS) 2017.

The head of the Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office, Erwin Umar, here on Friday, said this is the first time the finish point would be in Bukittinggi during the tour.

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"During this time, Padang City was always the finish point and the location of the closing of the race," he said, adding that many benefits will be received by the people and administration of Bukittinggi, as they become the finish point of the Tour de Singkarak.

Further, according to Erwin, the TdS will provide benefits to the tourism industry, such as for hotels, restaurants and tourist sites, as well as in promoting local handicraft products.

TdS 2017 will be held on October 10-18 starting in Batusangkar, Tanah Datar District. Participants from 28 countries will join the annual event, which has been held for the ninth time.

After the Muslim Holy Day of Eid al-Fitr, the organizers will survey the use of streets in Bukittinggi.

"The Bukittinggi administration is also proposing a tour around the city. The routes in Bukittinggi City will be surveyed and determine whether it is possible for the participants to bike through," he said.

Earlier, the Vice Governor of West Sumatra, Nasrul Abit, said he expected all areas in the province to be suitable for the race.

"The Tour de Singkarak event is not only a sport, but also a medium to introduce and promote local tourism. We hope the whole area in the province can be passed through by the participants," he said.

ANTARA