#Indonesia and #Malaysia compete in Tanjung Pinang International Dragon Boat Race.

A total of 42 teams from Indonesia and Malaysia competed in Tanjung Pinang International Dragon Boat Race that was held at Carang River, Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands on Oct. 21.

The Dragon Boat Race, which was a part of Riau Islands Marine Festival, was opened with Makan Sirih traditional dance performed by seven female dancers, dressed up in red-colored Malay traditional costumes.

Tanjung Pinang mayor Lis Darmansyah explained that Dragon Boat Race was first held in 1992, previously named Bintang Dragon Boat Race. “The Dragon Boat Race came from a tradition of one of the ethnic groups in Tanjung Pinang,” Lis said.

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In the early days, the race was always held on the ocean but since 2014, Carang River has been appointed as the main location for the race. The river was chosen due to its calmer waters and no ship traffic. “There’s a ruin of the Malay kingdom located near Carang River called Rebah City Castle site,” Lis added.

Apart from the race, the festival also featured other competitions such as kayaking, middle school yel-yel (cheer chants) competition and a barongsai (Chinese dragon dance) performance.

The committee had prepared a total prize of 150 million rupiahs for winners of the Dragon Boat Race and 15 million rupiahs for winners of the Kayaking competition.

Meanwhile, winners of the yel-yel (cheer chants) competition received gifts from sponsors.

Source - TheJakartaPost

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Indonesia - Riau Islands seeks to become sports tourism destination

The sports event Nongsa Challenge 2017 held on Aug. 27 in Batam, Riau Islands, showed a great partnership between the provincial administration and Tourism Ministry.

“Held for the third time, this year's event [was supported by] the Tourism Ministry,” said Sumantri Endang, the general manager of Turi Beach by Nongsa Resort, where the event took place. “For next year, we aim to make the participants stay longer and to bring their family to explore Batam."

Riau Islands Tourism Agency head Boeralimar said the agency seeks to achieve the ministry’s target of 15 million foreign tourists in 2017 and 20 million foreign tourists in 2019.

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 Among the sports events held in Riau Islands are Tour de Beleirang, Bintan Triathlon and Tour de Bintan.

The ministry's Archipelago Tourism Marketing Development deputy Esthy Reko Astuti said that Indonesia has a huge opportunity to develop its sports tourism.

The country is set to host 2018 Asian Games in August.

“There are so many studies discussing about the short- and long-term correlation between a sports event with the economic growth of a region or country, especially when it comes to infrastructure development and employment opportunities. Sports tourism has a huge impact,” said Esthy

 

Source - TheJakartaPost

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#Indonesia - Bawah Island of Anambas Islands nominated for most popular diving spot.

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Dubbed one of Asia's top five tropical island paradises by CNN in 2012, Anambas Islands in Riau Islands province has been nominated in the Most Popular Diving Spot category for this year's Indonesian Tourism Awards (API).

Other destinations competing in the category are Gosong Senggora in West Kotawaringin regency, Banda Islands in Central Maluku regency, Karampuang Island in Mamuju regency, Tomia Island in Wakatobi regency, Lembeh Strait in Bitung city, Tanjung Pasir Moyo in Sumbawa regency, Maumere Bay in Sikka regency, Tomini Bay in Tojo Unauna regency, and Tulamben in Karangasem regency.

“Bawah Island [of Anambas Islands] has the most beautiful underwater scenery; no wonder people from all over the world come here to snorkle and dive,” said Anambas Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports Agency head Iwan K. Roni.

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 API 2017 consists of 15 categories with 10 nominees for each category, an increase from last year that only featured 10 categories.

The voting period runs from June to October. The awards ceremony will be held in November.

Voting is open to the public and those who want to vote for Bawah Island can visit ayojalanjalan.com or send a text message by typing API (space) 5C and sending it to 99386.

 Read also: Bawah Island resort to lure eco-tourists with zero-waste concept