W. Sumatra Administration Confirms Tour de Singkarak Dates, Now Slated for October
Jakarta. West Sumatra's regional administration has held a coordination meeting to confirm the dates for the globally recognized cycling event, Tour de Singkarak, now slated for Oct. 10-18.
The ninth annual cycling event carries a total prize pool of Rp 2.3-2.5 billion ($173,000).
The coordination meeting, held at the Pangeran Beach Hotel in Padang on Wednesday (07/06), was attended by 18 district-level tourism agency heads.
The Ministry of Tourism's deputy for marketing development, Esthy Reko Astuti, head of man-made tourism promotion Ni Putu G Gayatri and the Indonesian representative of Swiss-based Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Jamaludin Mahmood.
"The meeting [...] confirmed the dates of the international cycling race, now set for Oct. 10-18," West Sumatra Tourism Agency head Oni Yulvian said.
According to Oni, the race will comprise nine stages.
"Prize money will total nearly Rp 2.5 billion, though we are yet to confirm that with UCI, a process that needs to be sorted through the Indonesian Cycling Sport Assocation."
Esthy said the cycling event will help boost sporting activities in the country and draw more foreign tourists to destinations across the archipelago.
"For a week, racers will pass through beautiful countryside, marked by hills, forests and beaches. We are ramping up the quality of facilities in the region to accommodate tourists," Esthy said.
Tanah Datar district will be the race's starting point, while Bukittinggi City will mark the finish line.
"The opening ceremony for the race will be on Oct. 9. However, accommodation facilities in Tanah Datar and Bukittinggi are expected to meet high standards to provide for the participants," Esthy said.
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya has praised the cycling event, encouraging the race to be promoted on digital platforms to draw more attendees.
"The name, 'Tour de Singkarak,' has gone worldwide," Arief said.
The cycling event currently draws 550,000 people annually to West Sumatra, making it the world's fifth most watched race. The Tour de France draws 12 million live spectators each year.
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