Jakarta (ANTARA) - An Indonesian tourism official said the successful implementation of the recent Pacu Jalur Festival in Kuantan Singingi, Riau, had a significant impact on the local economy and the country's image.

"Pacu Jalur is not merely a traditional sporting event, but also a cultural tourism magnet with a strong impact on the regional economy and Indonesia's global image," said Vinsensius Jemadu, Deputy for Event Development at the Ministry of Tourism, in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Pacu Jalur — a centuries-old rowing race — is included in the ministry's list of 110 flagship events under the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program and was among the top ten KEN events in 2024.

Jemadu said the program aims to improve the quality of regional event management, including Pacu Jalur, through national promotion and event mentoring.

During this year's festival, held on August 20–24, the ministry provided promotional support through live-streaming on social media, which attracted thousands of viewers. It also collaborated with TikTok Indonesia and brought 10 content creators to Teluk Kuantan, Riau, to promote the event.

"Through Karisma Event Nusantara, we continue to encourage regional events and offer memorable experiences for tourists," he remarked.

Meanwhile, Kuantan Singingi District Head Suhardiman Amby declared the festival a success, noting that it drew an estimated 2 million visitors over five days.

"If each person spends just Rp50,000, the circulation of money in Kuansing during Pacu Jalur can reach Rp100 billion (US$6.13 million). This has had a tremendous economic impact on the community," Amby said.

The 2025 Pacu Jalur Festival officially closed on August 24, with the Bintang Emas Cahaya Intan team crowned champion. The closing also featured a performance by US rapper Melly Mike, who sang his hit "Young Black and Rich."

The song went viral online as the soundtrack of Pacu Jalur clips showing a boy dancing on a racing boat — a moment dubbed "aura farming" by social media users. The trend was later imitated by stars including Travis Scott, Neymar, and Marc Márquez.

Pacu Jalur, which originates from Kuantan Singingi, has long been a vital part of the community's cultural identity. Each boat, called jalur, is adorned with traditional carvings and manned by 50–60 rowers, led by the anak coki — a young dancer whose movements both entertain spectators and motivate the crew.

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