TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is currently developing its sport-based tourism by naming South Sumatra as one of its latest sport tourism destination. Furthermore, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya announced that Bintan in the Riau Islands would soon likely be considered as one.
“There will be two sport tourism destinations in Indonesia, South Sumatra and Bintan,” said Arief Yahya in the Ironman 70.3 press conference at the Ministry’s headquarters in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, July 11.
Bintan Island proved the public that it is able to host national scale and international sporting events such as the Ironman Bintan and the Bintan triathlon, which are included in the top 100 calendar of events released by the tourism ministry this year.
The island that is geographically close to Singapore is considered to be compatible on holding events such as marathons, sport-cycling, and swimming competitions. This island is also the home of Southeast Asia’s largest swimming pool located in Treasure Bay other than its natural blue seas and white sand beaches.
Bintan is also one of Indonesia’s many locations that contributed in attracting large scale tourist visitations. As of last year, foreign tourist visitations to Bintan increased 20.51 percent compared to the previous year and saw an increase of 27 percent during this year’s first semester compared to the same period in 2017.
The high visitation rate by foreign tourists is thanks to Bintan’s strategic location that is closely located within the reach of Malaysia and Singapore tourists.
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA
