Over 100 yachts from 19 countries worldwide are attending the annual event, which aims to promote Indonesia’s localities with potential for maritime economic development, thus benefiting coastal and island communities, especially in tourism development.

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Yachts at the event. Photo: Vietnam+

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said this is a strategic activity to help coastal localities develop maritime infrastructure, thus promoting their tourism potential.

The Indonesian Government has invested in building airports, ports, wharfs and roads in areas adjacent to Sumbawa, especially in Moyo and Tambora islands, aiming to attracting more tourists to the areas.

In the framework of the event, many other activities are being organized such as tours to Tambora volcano, a maritime exhibition with 84 booths from 31 agencies, and parachute and art performance programs.

Indonesia Sail 2018 was first organized in Manado in 2009. This year’s event is hoped to turn Mandalika of West Nusa Tenggara into one of the ten tourist destinations in Indonesia’s national tourism development strategy.

Authorities of West Nusa Tenggara expect activities during the event will help the province attract 4 million visitors in 2018.

Last year, it welcomed 3 million domestic and foreign holidaymakers.

Source: VNA