Over 80 cyclists departed from Larantuka, East Flores last week and are now making their way westwards, to Labuan Bajo on the island’s opposite coast for the 721.5km Tour de Flores.
The race, supported by the East Nusa Tenggara provincial government, was set forward last year with the goal of attracting more tourists to Indonesia’s beautiful, less-trodden east. There is more to Indonesia than Bali, after all, and the government is hoping to spread the tourist wealth, so to speak. “Explore the wonderful land,” is the race’s slogan.
But the race, now in its sophomore year, has had little to no economic benefit for the local community and no impact on tourism in the region, says a local official.
If anything, the race has been more of a drain than anything, says NTT regional councilman Yohanes Rumat.
All the costs have been borne by the local government from the cost of the committee, like event transport, car rental, studio committee, food and drink, to fuel, but it doesn’t really seem worth it since the race has only given limited promotional attention to the region, according to Rumat.
“The cost of the flights for the cyclists from Kupang (West Timor) to Larantuka, in short, is like poor people from poor areas financing rich people from rich countries,” Rumat told Kompas on Saturday.
While it’s awesome seeing these kinds of international sporting events take place in eastern Indonesia, it seems the financing scheme of the race could use some restructuring!
The Tour de Flores, divided into six stages, kicked off on July 10 and runs until the 21st. From the start, 83 international cyclists joined the race, but that number dropped down to 71 earlier this week, as 12 riders failed to compete the first and second stages.
Fendy Jebagun says
Spent too much money for nothing. While the poverty and less infrastructure still development the corrupt goverment still did this. Wake up goverment.