Koba, Babel (Antara Babel) - Foreign yachts began to arrive in the country to take part in the Sail Karimata Strait 2016 on the beach of the Datuk Island in North Kayong regency, West Kalimantan.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially opened the peak event earlier this month welcoming foreign countries participating in the international maritime event, part of the country's attempts to boost development of its tourism sector.
At least 15 yachts from various countries such as France, the United States, Sweden and Australia, called on the island of Ketawai, regency of Bangka Tengah, on their way to the Karimata Strait.
"There were actually 20 foreign yachts but five called only a few hours at the Ketawai island before they proceeded to Tanjung Pinang,", head of the district tourism office Zaidi said here on Friday.
The harbor of the island of Ketawai is a port of call for sailing boats to take part in the Sail Karimata 2016.
Singapore alone was reportedly to take part with 100 yachts in the international event to be made annually.
When addressing the official opening ceremony on Oct 15, Jokowi said the event can help preserve the country's natural resources and bring back the national maritime culture.
He said seas make up 71 percent of the country's territory with 17,000 islands.
He said the country has potential maritime tourism not yet sufficiently tapped. He pointed to Bunaken, Tomini Bay, Karimata Strait, Raja Ampat, etc.
He said the government would built infrastructure and facilities, to facilitate visits by tourists.
The government began to show serious interest in developing the country's tourism sector setting target for foreign tourist arrivals at 20 million in 2019 or more than doubling record in 2015.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said there were eight provinces and 36 foreign participants taking place in Sail Karimata Strait this year.
The event could also boost to development of less developed regions in economy , Luhut said, adding the government would evaluate the event to turn it into a sustainable program.
