BINTAN. After experiencing a major tourism boost during a recent sports event, the government is optimistic that Bintan Island in the Riau Islands province could become a sports tourism destination.

In late August, over 1,200 adults and children from 51 countries participated in a triathlon on the island, named IRONMAN 70.3, in which Swedish Fredick Croneberg was crowned winner. In early May after the triathlon had finished, the island was still packed with thousands of foreign tourists.

“The participants are all sports enthusiasts, especially those coming from Singapore,” said Tourism Ministry deputy assistant for Southeast Asian market development, Rizky Handayani. “The ministry is supporting sports activities held in Bintan as they are bringing in foreign tourists.”

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At least 2000 foreign travelers take part in each of Bintan’s many sporting events. They spend at least three days in various hotels around Bintan, and participants and their families often tour the region, which further multiplies the number of tourists.

The entire island is utilized for sports events such as triathlons, cross-country running and road bike races. Before 2016 finishes there are still three more major sports events to be held there, namely a golf tournament, the cross-country Spartan 2016 race and the Moon Run event, which as the name suggests is held at night.