Makassar - Phinisi Grand Prix (GPP) 2008, a traditional sailing ship competition, which was earlier scheduled to for August 2008, was postponed until August 28, 2008, Luther Barung, chairman of the GPP organizing committee, said here on Tuesday.
Vice President M Jusuf Kalla was expected to officially see off the competition`s participation, after official opening of a national congress of the South Sulawesi People`s Association (KKSS) in Manado, North Sulawesi, he said.
The GPP was previously scheduled to be held at Sunda Kelapa harbor, northern Jakarta, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the National Awakening Day.
Some 70 traditional ships would participate in the competition with routes to be divided into three zones, namely western zone, central zone, and eastern zone of Indonesia.
The organizing committee would provide special Phinisi ships to accommodate foreign tourists wishing to see the competition.
"Therefore, we hope that travel bureaus in Indonesia could help promote the events to attract foreign tourists," he said.
The western zone will start from Sunda Kelapa harbor and head for Batam, Belawan, Sabang, Mentawai, Padang, Tanjung Karang, and return back to Sunda Kelapa. The central zone will start from Manado, and proceed to Palu, Parepare, Makassar, Maumere and Benoa, and will finish in Gresik, East Java Province. The eastern zone will start from Ternate, to Raja Ampat, Fak-fak, Timika, Merauke, South Maluku, and will finish in Ambon, Maluku Province.
The Phinisi Grand Prix is to be organized to support the Visit Indonesia Year 2008 and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Awakening.
According to Luther, GPP is one of the biggest tourism event to highlight the Visit Indonesia Year and will be covered by both national and international reporters.
Source: www.antara.co.id (14 Mei 2008)
