"The 16 countries include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and Ireland," he added.
He said, the number of ships that will participate in Sail Indonesia 2011 reached 109 and it would be the second largest number after 2009 when 127 ships took part.
"This is the second largest number of participating ships after 2009 when Sail Indonesia had been held for eight consecutive years without getting stopped. So it is expected to become the starting point of Indonesia`s maritime awakening that we should support and be proud of," Abraham said.
He said the 109 ships of Sail Indonesia participants come from Australia 35 ships, two ships from Belgium, Canada eight ships, one ship from Finland, France nine ships, four ships from German, Dutch two ships and New Zealand four ships.
Abraham said, the Indonesians, including East Nusa Tenggara people as well as the management of tourism services and other related institutions should make the ninth Sail Indonesia as a locomotive development of marine tourism in East Nusa Tenggara province.
This is because the world expects the changes better than just an annual performances.
He said, Sail is one of the events that have been implemented every year by the central government since three years ago under the name of Sail Indonesia.
In 2009 Sail Indonesia was centrally held in Manado (North Sulawesi), known as Sail Bunakan. Whereas in 2010 was held in Ambon (Maluku) under the name of Sail Bandadan and in 2011 will be held in Southeast Sulawesi with name of Sail Wakatobi-Belitung.
According to him, East Nusa Tenggara Province is one of the flagship tourism provinces or destinations demanded by sailors and tourists. Therefore, in every year implementation of the event, East Nua Tenggara becomes a haven of the sailors and tourists which the numbers increased from year to year.
Therefore, since 2009 East Nusa Tenggaera held Sail Indonesia with name of Sail Flobamora or acronym of Flores, Sumba, Timor and Alor, Abraham explained.
"And if it is pleased and our proposals to the central government through the Ministry of Welfare and other related ministries received to be assigned by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, then in 2013 East Nusa Tenggara will be the host of Sail with the name of Sail Komodo.
(Uu.KR-LWA//HAJM/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
