REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PADANG -- The ongoing international cycling race Tour de Singkarak (TdS) will offer long-term benefits to West Sumatra's tourism sector, according to Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel's West Sumatra Chapter Ian Hanafiah.
"The TdS has boosted the image of the region. In the long term, it will significantly affect tourism as every city and district will have improved infrastructure and facilities," Hanafiah stated here, Monday.
Media coverage of TdS will attract foreign tourists who watched the beautiful scenery of West Sumatra showcased on the electronic media in particular, he remarked.
Other events, such as the Dragon boat race and a culinary festival, also have the potential to attract tourists to the province, he added.
The TdS, which began from Lake Singkarak, Solok District, and will conclude in Muaro Lasak Beach, Padang, combines a sport and tourism tour, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya stated while flagging off the event on August 6.
"The TdS is categorized as a tourism sport that could increase the number of tourists to West Sumatra," he affirmed.
The eighth TdS will be held until August 14, with a total of 25 teams participating in the event.
Of the 25 teams, 19 are from various countries, including Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, China, and Kenya, and six top teams from Indonesia.
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