KUPANG. East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Frans Lebu Raya has planned to organize the Tour de Timor (TdT) next year to replicate the success of the Tour de Flores 2016 (TdF).

"After taking the tourists to Flores Island during the TdF, next year, we will continue with the TdT, where foreign visitors will be offered a tour of Timor Island up to Rote," he stated here, Tuesday (17/5).

NTT, province of one thousand islands, plans to organize the two international cycling events on the islands of Flores and Timor annually to promote tourism at the international level.

The province offers a wide array of natural scenery, culture, ethnicity, handcrafts, ancient sites, and unique traditions that could be showcased to foreign tourists.

Then, the local administration and community must establish synergistic cooperation to ensure the success of the promotion.

"I am certain it will benefit the community," he remarked.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya is scheduled to officially kick off the TdF on Wednesday.

Hundreds of participants from 25 countries arrived in Lembata District on Monday and headed to Larantuka on Tuesday.

The cycling race, covering a 615-kilometer-long route, will start from Larantuka town, East Flores, on May 19 and will conclude on May 26 in Labuan Bajo, where President Joko Widodo is expected to present.

Editor: Sanny Cicilia