"The Sail Wakatobi Belitong has been implemented smoothly and hopefully it could continue be promoted to make Belitong more known internationally," Boediono said in his speech.
The international marine event would bring positive impacts on the national economic development especially the regional economic," he said.
"I am sure, Belitung can become the third main tourism destination after Bali and Nusa Tenggara," he said.
Initially, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had been scheduled to close the Sail Wakatobi Belitong event and see off participants of the international yacht rally joined by 120 yachts from 20 countries from the continents of Asia, Australia and Europe.
The SWB 2011`s theme is "Clean the Ocean for Future Life" to respond to the impact of climate change which has caused a rise in the sea`s temperature.
Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Muhammad Fadel has outlined four objectives of the marine event, namely: to make harmonization in benefiting the regions` potential for the welfare of the people; to promote Wakatobi and Belitung as domestic and international tourist destinations; to create the best sailing passage; and to make the marine and fishery potential in the two regions as a living source for the local people and the source of sustainable development in the regions.
The SWB is also organized to promote investment opportunities and tourism in Wakatobi (Southeast Sulawesi) and Belitung (Babel, Sumatara) in particular.
The SWB has been going since the second week of July until October 2011, with main destinations in Wakatobi (Southeast Sulawesi) in last August and Belitung District, Bangka Belitung Province, on Sumatra Island, in October 2011.
The Sail Wakatobi Belitung is part of Sail Indonesia event, which previously included Sail Bunaken 2009 in North Sulawesi and Sail Banda 2010 in Maluku.
(Uu.F001/HAJM/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
