East Nusa Tenggara will organize Sail Komodo 2013 to promote tourism in the island province.Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - State airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I will renovate El Tari airport in Kupang, to support the province`s plan to host Sail Komodo 2013.
The airport`s departure and arrival hall will be among facilities to be renovated and expanded, General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I`s El Tari Kupang Airport Office Imam Pramono said here, Wednesday.
Coinciding with the international maritime event Sail Komodo, the province would also implement an East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Visit Year 2013 program.
"So far, we have only one joint hall for arrivals and departures. In the future, there will be two separate halls respectively for arrivals and departures," he said.
Angkasa Pura will also construct another taxi way to facilitate landing and taking off of more planes. The airport`s apron will also be expanded from 5,000 square meters to 6,000 square meters.
"We hope the renovation work can be completed in late 2012, so that the upgraded facilities can already be used in 2013," he said.
East Nusa Tenggara will organize Sail Komodo 2013 to promote tourism in the island province.
Sail Komodo 2013`s participants are expected to make stopovers among other things in 13 locations in the province`s 13 districts.
They will start from Darwin (Australia), and proceed to Kupang, TTU, Belu, Alor, Lembata, Maumere, Ende, Ngada, Labuan Bajo, Waikelo, Sabu Raijua and Rote.
About 72 yachts of a total 145 yachts with 416 participants taking part in Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race and Rally, are expected to visit East Nusa Tenggara.
Indonesia organizes international sail events annually to promote tourism on its numerous islands. The previous sail events included Sail Bunaken in North Sulawesi in 2009, Sail Banda (Maluku) in 2010, and Sail Wakatobi Balitung in 2011.
Sail Morotai is to be held in September this year in Notrh Maluku Province.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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