Ende, E Nusa Tenggara (Antara NTT) - Tour de Flores (TdF) cycling event is expected to help promote tourist attractions on Flores Island in particular, and in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province in general, an official said.
TdF, which was held for the first time in 2016, has been effective in promoting Flores Island, Putu Gayatri, head of the artificial tourism promotion department of the Tourism Ministry, said here, Sunday.
The number of tourists visiting the island would increase next years as the result of TdF, she said. She lauded the organizing committee for organizing a selfy contest on Instagram to highlight the race and promote the island internationally.
She called on the NTT administration officials to improve tourism services, facilities and infrastructure to boost tourism industry.
"In particular, accommodation and transportation facilities in tourist destinations in the province should be improved, and so the quality of human resources involved in tourism sector," he said.
So far, only Ende and Labuhan Bajo have enjoyed tourist arrival increase because tourism industry in the two regions has been well managed. The Tourism Ministry has provided prizes for TdF winners and promotion facilities.
The second Tour de Flores (TdF) cycling race and tourism event being held on July 14-19 is expected to be more challenging, as the number of regions to be covered during the tour has increased.
The 2017 TdF covers a total distance of 808 kilometers (km), an increase from 661.5 km in 2016, due to the addition of the Aegela-Mbay route in Ngada District.
Some 20 cycling teams comprising more than 150 cyclists from 11 countries in Europe, America, Asia, and Australia are participating in the tour. Last year, 20 teams from 16 countries had taken part in the TdF that was held for the first time in May.
