Sail Komodo To Promote E Nusa Tenggara Tourism

Jakarta, Feb 5 (Antara) - Sail Komodo 2013 will help promote tourism on Komodo Island in particular and East Nusa Tenggara in general, said Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono. "Sail Komodo will make Komodo Island famous and help attract foreign as well as domestic tourists to the island," Minister Agung Laksono said here on Monday. The minister said the international maritime event will be organized in September 2013. "Sail Komodo event will be promoted and advertised continuously, so Komodo Island will be well known internationally," he said. The annual event is also expected to help improve the welfare of local people, he stated. "The local people are trained to make handicraft before Sail Komodo takes place, because it will help increase their earnings," he said. Various infrastructure facilities are also being built to support the implementation of Sail Komodo, he said. "The implementation of Sail Komodo will bring positive impacts on the local community," he added. Last year, Rp1,5 billion was allocated for the promotion of Sail Komodo maritime event. The Indonesian government is intensifying the promotion of East Nusa Tenggara as a world touristic destination by organizing Sail Komodo in Labuhan Bajo, near Komodo Island. The Komodo national park which covers Komodo, Rinca and Padar islands in West Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara, is home to Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis). The Komodo park has been inscribed in UNESCO`s World Natural Heritage list since 1991. As part of Sail Indonesia maritime events, the country previously organized among other things Sail Bunaken, Sail Wakatobi Belitung, and Sail Morotai. East Nusa Tenggara Governor Frans Lebu Raya recently said the peak event of Sail Komodo will be organized on September 7 or 15 this year.