Equator Carnival Can Become New Tourism Icon For Pontianak

Pontianak, W Kalimantan (Antara Bali) - Tourism Minister Arief Yahya has expressed hope that the Equator Carnival, held in Pontianak on Saturday and Sunday, would become a new tourism icon for West Kalimantan.

"We hope the Equator Carnival would become a new tourism icon for West Kalimantan and would boost the province's economy," the minister affirmed here on Sunday.

The minister considered the Equator Carnival, organized in the West Kalimantan capital of Pontianak for two days on August 22-24, to be a success and could be held annually to promote the province's tourism.

He claimed that the event, which was held in conjunction with the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Indonesia's independence, was a huge success.

"Thank God, the carnival was a great success," Minister Yahya stated in Pontianak at the conclusion of the activities on Sunday.  

He pointed out that a large number of people, particularly the residents of Pontianak City and those from outside the city, had come to enliven the carnival event.

"More than half the residents of Pontianak City flocked to the Kapuas Square last night to enliven the folk festivity," the minister noted.

The Equator Carnival comprised three events: land carnival, water carnival, and folk festivity. Hundreds of decorated boats and cars took part in the events.

Yahya is confident that the Equator Carnival 2015 will be able to boost the real sector business in Pontianak, even though it lasted for only two days.

He expressed hope that Pontianak and West Kalimantan would greatly benefit from the event.

"We hope this event proves beneficial for Pontianak and West Kalimantan, with regard to tourism development and boosting tourist arrivals in the region," he remarked on Saturday.

"I think West Kalimantan has immense tourism potential, which can be developed in future. Moreover, Pontianak has already been declared a river tourism city in the development plan for 2014-2019," Yahya added. (WDY)