Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Around 2,000 participants from 18 countries are scheduled to take part in the "Asia Pacific Hash (ASPAC) 2014" in Bali on May 8.
"The hashers will visit natural tourist destinations, historical monuments, enjoy traditional culinary products and stay in the local people`s houses during the event," minister of tourism and creative economy Mari Elka Pangestu said during a coordination meeting in preparation for the event here on Monday.
She said the event, which is called "Wonderful Adventure Indonesia: Asia Pacific Hash (WAI: ASPAC 2014) and initiated by her ministry, is expected to have a multiple effect on the tourism sector, given the success of the International Hash in Borobudur, Central Java, in 2012.
The event is scheduled between May 8 and May 13 and will take place not only in Bali but also in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, and Labuan Bajo and Komodo island, East Nusa Tenggara provinces.
While in Bali from May 8-10, participants will visit and tour Sanur Beach in Denpasar, Sangeh in Badung district, Margarana Heroes` Cemetery in Tabanan district, Tampaksiring in Gianyar and Goa Lawah in Klungkung.
The route covers three sections of five, seven and 12 kilometers, respectively.
The 18 countries that had registered were Australia, Austria, Brunei Darussalam, China, Denmark, the Netherlands, Britain, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States.
"The `tourists with special interests` will be more beneficial because they may stay in Bali up to three weeks, with an average spending of US$3,000 per person. So, just imagine how much will be collected from the 2,000 ASPAC participants. Regular tourists generally only spend US$1,140," Mari said.
The head of the ASPAC 2014 organizing committee, Supriyadi, said hashers will wear a unique costume during the opening ceremony, namely wearing a red female dress.
"The event is also being held to raise funds to be donated to temples, orphanages or villages in Bali. Although, they will wear a red dress, there is nothing political in it," he said.
Red is the color of a political party in the country now preparing along with other political parties for the presidential election on July 9.
At the meeting, several district/city administrations had expressed their readiness to spend part of their budget for promoting the success of the event.
The ministry of tourism and creative economy has allocated Rp3 billion out of the total Rp6 billion budget needed to organize the event. (WDY)
