Foreign tourists were seen joining the celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day at Taman Simalem Resort in Karo regency, North Sumatra, from Aug. 17-18.

During the two-day event, the resort’s guests were invited to compete in the sack race and tug of war, but also in traditional Indonesian games like lomba makan kerupuk (eating crackers dangling from ropes).

Taman Simalem Resort general manager Eddy Tanoto said the resort had hosted similar events for five years.

Open to the resort’s guests and staff, the event was aimed at introducing traditional games to foreign visitors.

“We involve the foreign guests [in the event], and hopefully they will be intrigued by our traditional games,” he said, adding that he hoped the event could boost tourism in the country.

Read also: Taman Simalem gets sustainable tourism award

The resort’s front office manager, Citra Febriani Sianipar, said she appreciated the foreign guests’ enthusiasm in the event.

She said most of the guests came from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia.

Australian tourist Rhys Menzel said it was his first time to participate in competitions while traveling in Indonesia.

“I will never forget this experience. The game is so fun,” a happy Menzel told The Jakarta Post after winning the lomba goyang kursi (moving chair game).

Last year, Taman Simalem Resort received the Pamong Wisata Berkelanjutan (Caregiver of Sustainable Tourism) award, after winning second place in the Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Awards 2018.

Eddy said the resort ran agro-tourism programs in close cooperation with local farmers to develop organic farming. (jes/wng)

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