VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government should increase promotion of the Sail Nias 2019 international maritime event to boost the island’s status as an international tourist destination, Indonesian Marine Scholars' Association (Iskindo) executive chairman Moh Abdi Suhufan stated.

"Promotion and publication are quite limited, while the peak event is drawing closer," he noted in Jakarta on Monday.
Various activities organized as part of Sail Nias 2019 must be publicized, he remarked.

Nias Island has surfing and diving spots viewed as one of the best in the world, and its coral reef is also well-preserved.

According to the coordinating maritime affairs minister’s office, Sail Nias is expected to help promote the island as a surfing heaven for international visitors.

"This should be popularized," Safri Burhanuddin, deputy in charge of coordination of human resources, science and technology and maritime culture of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, stated Jakarata on Sunday.

He pointed to the fact that Sumatra Island, including Nias, with scenic beaches, had yet to be well-known among people at large.

"We want to boost growth of maritime tourism in this region, portraying it as a heaven for surfers worldwide. The government has also designated Nias as a venue for world surfing leagues," he added.

Nias Island, located in North Sumatra Province and often viewed as the best kept secret of Indonesians, is being unveiled to the world at the international maritime event being organized from July until September 2019. The peak event of Sail Nias, the 11th series of Sail Indonesia, will be opened at a ceremony in Teluk Dalam (Bay), South Nias, on September 14, 2019.

Sail Indonesia is being held as part of the plans to expedite the development of underdeveloped regions in Indonesia.

At least 18 activities are organized during the event, including the Wonderful Nias Expo 2019, an international surfing contest, a battleship parade, Nias Marathon, a culinary bazaar, and traditional art and cultural performances.

Other activities include Wind Surfing and Sailing Contests, Free Diving Competition, Stone Jump Festival, Traditional Fishing Boat Parade, Coffee Festival, Fishing Tournament, Wonderful Tourism Photo Expo, One Thousand Tents Festival, and the Mt Sitori cultural seminar.

Sail Nias is themed "Nias Toward the Gate of World Marine Tourism Destination." (ANTARA)