West Sumatra to Introduce Non-Competitive Tour de Singkarak to Boost Tourism

RRI.CO.ID, Padang - The West Sumatra provincial administration is preparing a new, non-competitive format for the Tour de Singkarak (TdS) as part of a strategic push to promote the region's tourism sector on the international stage. The Tour de Singkarak is an international bicycle race, while Singkarak refers to the name of lake in West Sumatra.

Head of the West Sumatra Tourism Agency, Lila Yanwar, explained that the addition of a non-competitive category is designed to lean into the growing sport tourism market.

"So, besides the competition, we are also preparing a non-competitive TdS or carrying a sport tourism concept so that West Sumatra tourism becomes more widely known in the international arena," Lila said in Padang on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The project will be a collaborative effort between the Tourism Agency and the West Sumatra Youth and Sports Office (Dispora). This partnership aims to simultaneously boost regional tourism and foster the local sporting ecosystem.

To fund the upcoming TdS 2027, the provincial administration is exploring several strategic avenues, starting with efforts to seek government support through financial assistance from the Indonesian central government.

The administration is also looking toward international institutions by engaging with the World Bank for potential backing. Furthermore, there is a strong focus on the private sector, with officials working to secure corporate sponsorships to ensure the event's financial viability and success.

Authorities are currently entering a re-verification phase to assess the readiness of various regencies and cities. Participating areas include Padang, Tanah Datar, Padang Panjang, Bukittinggi, Pesisir Selatan, Dharmasraya, South Solok, and Agam.

A critical part of this verification involves ensuring that local administration have allocated the necessary funds in their 2027 budget documents. Regarding road repairs and infrastructure, Lila noted that plans will be coordinated with the Office of Bina Marga, Cipta Karya, and Spatial Planning, as well as the central government, to meet international cycling standards.

The Tour de Singkarak was first launched by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2009 but faced an interruption after 2019. While an attempt was made to revive the race in 2020, it was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By targeting a 2027 relaunch, the West Sumatra administration hopes to refocus global attention on the "Ranah Minang." The event is expected to serve as a catalyst not only for sport tourism but also for the creative economy, MSMEs, and broader regional development, ensuring that the world once again turns its gaze toward the cultural and natural beauty of West Sumatra. ***