Indonesian government has stated Riau Island Province as tourism hub and Indonesian marine tourism. Riau Island Province is also set as tourism event region to achieve foreign tourist visit as the national target. Tanjung Pinang contributes to achieve the target by revitalizing the lost tradition that is Dragon boat race. In his welcoming speech on the opening ceremony of international dragon boat race on Friday, October 19th 2018 in Carang river, Tanjung Pinang, the First Assistant for Governmental sector of Riau Island Province, Raja Ariza said that international dragon boat race becomes an event to preserve Tanjung Pinang people tradition that has been long been forgotten.
“We assess that Tanjung Pinang International dragon boat race is not only to support tourism sector. This event is also an effort to preserve the tradition that cannot be separated with the journey of Tanjung Pinang people as a marine people from time to time since centuries ago. Therefore, we hope that this event can be wrap better to attract more foreign tourist to Riau Island Province especially to Tanjung Pinang,” said Raja Ariza.
Raja Ariza added that Tourism is a combination of business strategy that needs good management. Indonesian government plans to promote Riau Island to the special economic zone of Indonesia tourism. Raja Ariza hopes this event can be a place for Riau Island athletes to bring Riau Island name to the national and international level.(VOI/NK/DP)