Sail to Indonesia Rally is an annual yacht sailing event from Australia to an island in the Indonesian archipelago. This year, the finish line is in Southeast Maluku (Malra). Sail to Indonesia Rally 2024 includes 135 participants in two waves: the first wave on July 3, 2024, and the second wave from July 15-21, 2024. The Southeast Maluku Regency Government (Pemkab Malra) stated that this event supports the region's economic sector. "Southeast Maluku Regency has been trusted as the entry point for the Sail to Indonesia Rally 2024, which includes 44 yachts from nine countries. This will boost the economy and promote tourism," said Acting Regent of Malra, Jasmono, on Wednesday (July 3, 2024).
Jasmono hopes Malra will be a good host for the yachters, allowing the region's tourism to grow and support regional development. The Kei Islands have a strategic position among tourists, particularly in maritime, cultural, culinary, and religious tourism, both domestically and internationally. "We have 76 tourist spots spread across Kei Kecil Island and Kei Besar Island with diverse and mesmerizing beauty. This potential must be massively exposed," Jasmono continued. Southeast Maluku has three tourist villages that made it into the top 50 in the Anugerah Desa Wisata Indonesia (ADWI) award: Ohoi Ngilngof, Ohoi Soinrat, and Ohoi Letvuan. These villages, along with Ohoi Debut, can be visited by participants of the Sail to Indonesia Rally 2024 and serve as models for developing tourist villages. Jasmono added that to fully enjoy the beauty of the Kei Islands, participants need at least two weeks. Additionally, the local government offers various classes, such as a culinary class (cooking Enbal and Lat, traditional Southeast Maluku foods), a tifa drumming class (regional musical instrument), and a traditional Kei Islands dance class. Guests will also be treated to historical tours such as the Japanese Bunker and Hawang Cave in Ohoi Letvuan, as well as the mangrove forest in Ohoi Dian Darat. Jasmono urged everyone to maintain the security and comfort of Ohoi and to be good hosts.
