REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BIAK -- The Biak Numfor district administration has urged the tourism ministry to offer assistance in promoting Biak as an international tourist destination. Biak has numerous maritime tourism attractions, including the Padaido island marine park, which has rich biodiversity.

A team of the tourism ministry recently met Yubelius Usior, an official of the Biak tourism office, the acting Biak tourism and cultural office head stated recently. The district administration is optimistic that the Biak airport will soon be able to cater to international flights.

If the Biak airport started operating international flights, the number of foreign tourists visiting the district would increase significantly, he stated. Prior to hosting the National Sports Week 2020, Papua planned to organize Sail Cenderawasih Bay in 2018 to promote its tourism industry, Usior earlier remarked. The Cenderawasih Bay has scenic views and abundant maritime resources. The bay area is home to several relics of World War II. The proposal will soon be submitted to the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas).

"The preparations for Sail Cenderawasih Bay will take three years. The important thing is the commitment of every district surrounding the bay. We need the central government's support by providing facilities, infrastructure, and budget allocation for the program," he affirmed.

The Cenderawasih Bay encompasses the districts of Biak Numfor, Supiori, Yapen Islands, and Waropen, which have rich local culture and traditions. Sail Cenderawasih Bay 2018 is expected to be part of Sail Indonesia that is organized with the aim to improve the welfare of the local community and to attract foreign tourists.

As part of the Sail Indonesia series, Sail Tomini will be held in Central Sulawesi in 2015. Sail Tomini will be the seventh event after Sail Bunaken in 2009, Sail Banda in 2010, Sail Wakatobi-Belitung in 2011, Sail Morotai in 2012, Sail Komodo in 2013, and Sail Raja Ampat in 2014.

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