RRI.CO.ID, Pekanbaru - The inclusion of five cultural events in Riau Province in the national Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) 2026 calendar opens up new opportunities for the region to strengthen its position as a tourist destination, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Tekad Perbatas, the head of the Riau Provincial Tourism Agency, expressed belief that the region's participation in KEN not only recognizes its cultural richness but also provides a strategic opportunity to expand tourism promotion internationally.

"Events included in KEN must not remain merely symbolic. Instead, they must be improved in quality to attract a wider range of tourists, including international ones," Tekad said in Pekanbaru on Thursday, January 29, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The five events are the Water War Festival in Meranti Islands Regency, Pacu Jalur in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Subayang Festival in Kampar Regency, Bakar Tongkang in Rokan Hilir Regency, and Kenduri Riau in Pekanbaru City.

Each event possesses a unique cultural narrative and local history, distinguishing Riau from other regions. Such as Bakar Tongkang (Barge Burning) is an annual Chinese cultural festival, commemorating the history of their ancestors' settlement in Indonesia. The ritual involves burning a replica of a large ship as a symbol of respect for the God of the Sea, Kie Ong Ya God, and a commitment to a settled life.

According to him, this uniqueness is crucial for developing sustainable, culture-based tourism attractions. Tekad also highlighted the strategic geographic location of Riau, which borders international routes and is close to Singapore and Malaysia.

"This presents a significant opportunity to attract international tourists, particularly from Southeast Asia," he said.

Tekad expressed hope that with the support of KEN as a national promotional platform, the organization of Riau's flagship events will become more professional and have a direct impact on the regional economy, including the hospitality, culinary, and local creative sectors.

"If managed consistently and with quality, these events can become gateways for regional tourists. That's what we want to encourage," he concluded. ***