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Minister expects MXGP 2017 to boost tourism
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Indonesia will host the international sport series event MXGP 2017 in Pangkal Pinang, Bangka-Belitung province, from March 4 and 5. (courtesy of/extremeina.com)
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ndonesia is expected to earn US$5 million in foreign exchange from international visitors to the international sport series event MXGP 2017 in Pangkal Pinang, Bangka-Belitung province, on March 4 and 5 plus Rp 50 billion (US$3.74 million) from domestic visitors.
The event, which will be covered by 62 foreign TV broadcasters from 60 countries, is expected to also help promote tourism sites in the region, said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya.
He also urged the local media to report on the event.
About 5,000 foreigners are expected to attend the event, which is being hosted for the first time by Indonesia, with each person spending an average of $1,000 while staying in the country, he said.
“We also expect over 50,000 Indonesians to attend the event,” Arief said on Monday during a press conference at the ministry’s office in Jakarta, adding that each Indonesian was projected to spend an average of Rp 1 million.
Indonesia is the third country in Asia, after Qatar and Thailand, to be selected to host the event.
The MXGP sport event was introduced in 1957 and was sanctioned by international motorsport federation, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).
Dozens of motocross racers from 20 countries will compete in motocross races in the Pangkal Pinang event, which include the Women’s Motocross World Championship. (yon/bbn)
