Foreign Yachts Discover Stories in Sumbawa
Sumbawa (ANTARA) - The arrival of 15 yachts carrying dozens of international tourists to Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, from 18 to 23 September 2026, has not only increased tourist arrivals but also opened economic opportunities through cultural experiences, the purchase of MSME products, and the exploration of marine attractions.
This was evident as the yachts approached the Karaci attraction at Saliper Ate Beach, Labuhan Badas District, on Monday (21/9). Two tourists from the United Kingdom, Mark and May, even personally experienced this traditional Sumbawa skill-based competition.
The Karaci attraction is a tradition involving striking matches using selected rattan or wood, where each participant wears a shield made of goat or buffalo hide.
Other tourists chose to watch closely, taking photographs, laughing, listening to local explanations, and enjoying every movement of the performance.
Some even chose to linger at the location to follow the community’s explanations, even after the main agenda had concluded. Such simple interactions provided experiences that could not be obtained merely by viewing Sumbawa from a ship.
Before entering Sumbawa Regency, the group first stopped in Bima City and Bima Regency to enjoy various tourist attractions and familiarise themselves with the landscape and culture of Sumbawa Island.
The group then continued their voyage into Sumbawa Regency from 18 to 23 September to participate in a series of activities that introduced them to local traditions, history, local products, and marine areas.
Participants hailed from several countries, including the United States, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, New Zealand, and Argentina.
The Head of the Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office of Sumbawa Regency, Tata Kostara, stated that the visit serves as an opportunity to introduce the region to international tourists.
“We hope Sumbeway becomes more widely known internationally. This is also a promotional platform to improve the quality of Sumbawa’s tourism,” he said.
Tradition as an Experience
The yachts’ journey in Sumbawa did not end with the sea and coastal panoramas. They were invited to witness local life through the culture and traditions still maintained by the community.
Following Karaci, the group was introduced to Barapan Kebo, a buffalo racing tradition that serves as a key cultural identity of Sumbawa.
Nancy, a tourist from the United States, even had the opportunity to try her hand as a jockey in the tradition.
The tourist expressed great enjoyment of the experience. Furthermore, she felt warmly welcomed, engaging in interactions, taking photos, and even swimming with whale sharks for an extended period. She noted that such an experience is something she has only felt in Indonesia, specifically in Sumbawa.
For Nancy and other participants, the opportunity to be directly involved transformed traditions they previously only knew as spectacles into personal experiences.
The group was then taken on a tour of the city to visit several historical and cultural heritage sites, including the Dalam Loka Palace, Bala Puti Palace, Bala Kuning Palace, Gunung Setia Tomb, and the Buen Ai Awak spring.
Moving from the coastal areas to the city centre, they witnessed another side of Sumbawa. While the sea offers panoramas and underwater wealth, the mainland preserves traces of history, traditional architecture, and living traditions within the community.
Driving the Local Economy
The journey also brought participants into contact with local entrepreneurs. Several MSMEs supported by the Sumbawa Regency Government introduced regional specialties, such as traditional textiles (wastra), coffee, wild horse milk, honey, whale shark-themed souvenirs, and various tourism products.
Transactions during the series of activities were reported to have reached tens of millions of rupiah across four MSMEs supported by the local government.
These activities demonstrate that international tourist visits can have a direct impact on local businesses when their itineraries are connected to community products and activities.
The movement of the group from coastal areas to the city centre also opened opportunities for artisans, service providers, and other entrepreneurs to benefit from tourism activities.
The Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office of Sumbula Regency aims for these visits to drive economic movement for the local community.