The charm of Indonesian marine tourism no doubt has world-class standards. Especially for lovers of surfing or surfing sports. Waves located in Indonesia has its own charm for surfers around the world to ride.
Aware of that potential, the Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) plans in 2018 will hold ten surfing competitions in ten locations located in Indonesia.
Chairman of the Maritime Tourism Development Acceleration Team, Indroyono Soesilo, said that Indonesia has many of the best surfing spots in the world, unfortunately if not used optimally. Now, in Indonesia there are already thousands of people who surf and are employed by the surf industry.
Some of them also become professional surfers who go to various parts of the world to surf and great again they win in various surfing competitions that are there.
“We are coordinating with World Surf Leauge (WSL), Regional Manager Asia (WSL) and the Indonesian Surfing Wave Association (PSOI), led by Stephen Robinson and accompanied Tipi Jabrik Secretary General of PSOI. This coordination is conducted to hold 10 Regional Surfing competitions in 10 locations in Indonesia in 2018, “said Indroyono in Jakarta, Monday (07/08/2017).
Furthermore, he explained, Indonesia currently has nearly a thousand surf spots and has the best waves in the hemisphere. Thousands of international surfers have also come to Indonesia to experience the perfection of the waves in various locations. So, it is appropriate if Indonesia will be the best surfing destination in the world.
“As a first step, on August 16 we will hold an international surfing competition at Pacitan Beach, East Java. Then, on October 6 there will be Focus Group Disscusion to invite 10 Regents who will host regional surfing competitions. Later will be in coordination by the Chairman of Field 1 Team Acceleration of Marine Tourism Development, Major General Marine (Ret.) Buyung Lelana. The ten locations are Mentawai Islands, West Coast, South Nias, Pacitan, Batu Karas, Canggu-Bali, Keramas-Bali, Maluk, Dompu and Rote, “Indroyono said.
So, what is the reason Kemenpar dare to plan to hold 10 international surfing competition? How is the target? Indroyono has the answer. In addition to having the best wave characteristics, international surfers are also one of the most loyal participants and spectators in the field of sports.
“Based on the source of Repucom in 2014, surfing first, then Nascar, MLB, NBA basketball and NFL football competitions, which have the most loyal audience. So that surely the foreign surfers that will bring the audience to come to Indonesia. Goals, we hope the World Surfing Competition will take place in 2019 in Mentawai-West Sumatra “, he said.
According to Indroyono, surfing sports is an excellent market in spurring the rate of tourist visits to 10 locations of the Surfing Competition. Waves of various characters become the attraction for surfers to surf.
Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya, said that there are three strategic things related to support Kemenpar promotion in this event. First, this surf enthusiasts are foreign tourists (tourists) who mostly come from Australia. They have made Bali the second home because of surfing. They are familiar surfing in the waves of Kuta Bali.
“The market is clear, they’ve been to Bali. Now we just introduced the new spot to his country, “said Arief.
Secondly, the principle in sport tourism should also be used. In his own event, it may not be as large as his direct impact, but his indirect impact or media value is definitely much higher.
“From the media value that’s a new opportunity to wake up. If foreign tourists have fallen in love, they will come again with family and entourage. Average sports tourism is 60% to be a repeater, “said Arief. [M1]