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4,000 join Tour of Kemala 2023, boost Banyuwangi economy
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B
anyuwangi regency has once again been entrusted to host a national sport tourism event, this time the national cycling race: Tour of Kemala 2023.
This year’s Tour of Kemala, which was organized in a collaboration between Yayasan Kemala Bhayangkari (YKB) and the Indonesian Cycle Sport Association (ISSI), ran from Oct. 7 to 8, starting and finishing at Boom Beach, Banyuwangi.
YKB board of trustees chair Juliati Sigit Prabowo opened Tour of Kemala 2023 on Saturday, accompanied by ISSI secretary-general Parama Nugroho, Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani, YKB central board chairwoman Diana Ahmad Dofiri and YKB vice chair Evi Agus Andrianto.
More than 1,400 cyclists, both Indonesian and international, amateur and professional, took part in the tour. All told, at least 4,000 people from outside Banyuwangi, including crew members and support staff, flocked to Java’s easternmost regency for the event.
The YKB’s Juliati expressed her appreciation to the organizers of the Tour of Kemala 2023 in Banyuwangi, one of Indonesia's premier tourist destinations, as well as her hope that the tour would serve as a platform to promote tourism and cycle sport across the archipelago.
"Tour of Kemala 2023 is a manifestation of our commitment to the development of cycle sport in Indonesia. We express our gratitude to the Banyuwangi regency administration for fully supporting this event, and for providing a beautiful and challenging location for the participants," she said in her opening speech.
"We also congratulate the enthusiastic participants who joined the Tour of Kemala 2023. We hope that this event will run smoothly, safely and successfully," Juliati said.
She added that the Tour of Kemala was expected to become an annual event, to be held in various regions across the country with the support of the ISSI. The event also aimed to nurture a love for cycle sport and discover the nation’s talented cycling athletes in road bicycle racing.
Regent Ipuk said the event was a blessing, as thousands of people had come to Banyuwangi.
"For this event, thousands of people have come to Banyuwangi. The impact is seen in full bookings at accommodations, not only hotels but also homestays belonging to local residents. The same goes for restaurants, culinary establishments and local eateries," she said.
"Thank you for choosing Banyuwangi as the host of the Tour of Kemala. Welcome to Banyuwangi, and good luck in striving to be the best. After competing, please enjoy the various tourist attractions and culinary delights that Banyuwangi has to offer," the regent added.
Day one of the tour featured a 128-kilometer bicycle race, open to both national and international cycling athletes. A total of 417 professional cyclists participated in this event, including 13 athletes from China, Thailand, France, Malaysia and the Philippines.
The race started from the Boom Beach Marina, and participants pedaled along challenging descents and inclines over a demanding route.
The Tour of Kemala 2023 also featured a Fun Bike event that covered a distance of 55 km past various tourist sites and iconic places in Banyuwangi, such as Sritanjung Park, Simpang Lima, Osing Kemiren Traditional Village and Blimbingsari International Airport. (*)
