Sail to Indonesia 2026 Brings Sumbawa’s Tourism Appeal to the World

RRI.CO.ID, Sumbawa - Sumbawa Regency in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) offers international tourists more than just coastal and marine scenery. Through the international sailing yacht rally event Sail to Indonesia 2026, the local administration showcases maritime experiences, such as whale shark watching in Saleh Bay, as well as the local community's rich culture, cuisine, and traditions.

The Sumbawa Regent, Syarafuddin Jarot, said the arrival of yacht crews from various countries was more than simply a stopover for sailing vessels. It also provided an opportunity to introduce Sumbawa’s natural wealth, culture, cuisine, and community life to the international market.

“I hope that after spending several days sailing through Indonesian waters, you will not return home with only your boats, but also with stories about Sumbawa,” said the regent during the Sail to Indonesia 2026 Welcoming Ceremony at Saliper Ate Beach, Labuhan Badas Subdistrict, on Monday, September 21, 2022.

He said tourists were being offered a range of marine and cultural experiences during their stay in Sumbawa. These included whale shark sightings in Saleh Bay, scenic landscapes, local traditions, traditional cuisine, and direct interaction with local communities.

Approximately 15 boats stopped in Sumbawa, carrying an estimated 45 to 50 tourists. According to Jarot, Sumbawa’s tourism appeal rests on more than the beauty of its beaches and seas. It also lies in its ecosystems, traditions, cuisine, and welcoming communities, which offer memorable experiences to international tourists.

“It has the sea, nature, whale sharks, culture, cuisine, and, of course, welcoming people,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

Jarot therefore encouraged the yacht crews to explore more destinations during their stay in Sumbawa and share their experiences after returning to their respective countries.

“Enjoy Sumbawa. Explore Sumbawa. And please, tell the world about Sumbawa,” he said.

Sumbawa Regency Youth, Sports, and Tourism Agency Head, Tata Kostara, said the Sail to Indonesia group entered Sumbawa waters on September 18, 2026. The participants visited several destinations before attending the welcoming ceremony at Saliper Ate Beach.

“This journey is part of Sail Indonesia. They entered Sumbawa on September 18 and then visited several destinations across the region,” he said.

The Sail to Indonesia participants came from several countries, including the United States, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, New Zealand, and Argentina. The arrival of the international tourists provided Sumbawa with an opportunity to increase awareness of its tourism destinations while building tourism networks in the international market.

“We hope Sumbawa will become increasingly known internationally. This is also a promotional opportunity to improve the quality of tourism in Sumbawa,” he said.

He expressed hope that the tourists’ experiences in Sumbawa would generate further promotion through their stories and recommendations after they returned to their respective countries.

“Hopefully, the arrival of the Sail group will further stimulate economic activity, including for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) and tourism operators,” he said.

The welcoming ceremony for the Sail to Indonesia participants also featured a performance of Karaci, a traditional Sumbawan art form involving a display of skill between two fighters. Two international tourists also took part in the performance, along with Sumbawa Regent and Sumbawa Regional Secretary, H. Budi Prasetiyo.

The Sumbawa Regency Administration hopes the yacht crews’ visit will strengthen international tourism networks. The initiative is expected to create opportunities for future tourist arrivals while expanding the economic benefits for local communities. ***