SELAYARPOS.COM ■ As many as 34 foreign tourists using 17 sailing ships explore the natural beauty of the Selayar Islands Regency.
The foreign tourists are those who are members of the International Yacht Rally titled Wonderful Sail to Indonesia, which was held by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia.
Of the 20 regencies / cities in Indonesia, the Selayar Archipelago District of South Sulawesi is one of the anchoring points for Yacht Rally participants.
They explored Selayar for 4 days from 1 to 4 September 2019. Not a few of the participants were amazed by the natural beauty of Selayar, including the culture and hospitality of the people.
While the arrival of the Yacther participants was officially welcomed by the Regent of Selayar Islands H. Muh. Basli Ali together with his staff, Forkopimda through a gala dinner and open ceremony at the Regent's House of Selayar Islands.
During their stay in Selayar, these tourists have visited Punaga Beach, clean beaches and turtles in Kampung Penyu, land tour to Sariahan Hamlet to see blacksmiths and traditional Bipang cake making, see cultural tourism in the Old Village of Bitombang, Gong Nekara in Matallang, Anchor in Padang, and enjoy the sunset in the Matalalang mangrove forest.
One of the participants, Mr. Stuart and Anne Letton, citizens of Scotland, said they were very pleased with the government's reception together with the people of the Selayar Islands.
According to Stuart from many countries he visited, there was no equal reception in Indonesia, especially in the Selayar Islands Regency.
For the good of the Government and the people of Selayar, Stuart gave gifts to the government and the community in the form of photos of the participants, which were handed over to Selda Secretary Marjani Sultan.
"I hope this photo is mounted on the wall, so that when you work you can see the sail participants. And we will also never forget you," said Stuart in Scottish.
In line with Mr. Carl Black from America. He acknowledged the culture of the Selayar people. Therefore he felt at home in Selayar.
"If there is an opportunity we will definitely come back again," he said.
When confirmed, the Regent of Selayar Islands H. Muh. Basli Ali hoped that after the arrival of foreign tourists, they would preach this beautiful thing to all the yachter of the world, so that Selayar was also increasingly recognized internationally.
"Thank you Ministry of Tourism, Selayar Archipelago Regency was given the opportunity to be one of the destinations of the Wonderful Sail To Indonesia 2019, this opportunity is a means for the Selayar Archipelago Government to introduce all the potential of the region, and of course we hope that the guests who come can help promote existing tourist attractions, so that Selayar is better known and more and more people are coming to Selayar, Thank you, "he said.
■ Dimas
