18 Countries to Attend Raja Ampat Sail 2014

Jayapura, Papua (Antara) - A total of 18 countries are expected to take part in the Raja Ampat Sail 2014 which will be held in Raja Ampat District, West Papua, in mid June. Cenderawasih Military Command XVII Chief Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua said here on Sunday that the 18 countries had confirmed their participation to the Raja Ampat local committee. He said that a number of participants to the Raja Ampat Sail 2014 would use ships from their countries. But the regional military commander said he could not yet know the exact number of countries and ships which would take part in the parade during the peak event. Meanwhile, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said recently that all preparations were underway to make the international marine event a success. "We are confident the Sail Raja Ampat 2014 will be a success," Mari said, adding that the opening ceremony to promote the tourist destination at the 1,700 small islands in Papua will be held on June 21 in the presence of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. With a parade of tourist vessels close to the coast, the Sail Raja Ampat 2014 will be more attractive than the similar events in the previous years, added Mari. "There were around 3,000 participants in the promotional event who had come to enjoy the natural beauty of Raja Ampat, including the underwater panoramic view that should attract world class divers," she said. More tourists were now interested in visiting the Raja Ampat marine resort to enjoy diving from one location or another, said Raja Ampat Tourism Office spokesman Yusdi Lamatenggo. He said Raja Ampat also had established a promotion office in Jakarta and had five marine tourism operators in Papua. The Raja Ampat (Four Kings) archipelago encompassed more than 9.8 million acres of land and sea off the northwestern tip of the West Papua province. The area's massive coral colonies showed that its reefs were resistant to threats, such as coral bleaching and diseases, which have now jeopardized the survival of coral reefs around the world. The Raja Ampat district government in May 2007 declared a network of seven Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that covered nearly 1,200,000 hectares and approximately 45 percent of the coral reefs and mangroves. It had also been effectively monitored to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the Raja Ampat marine ecosystems and the work had made progress over the past years.(*)