Gearing Up for Visit Indonesia Year 2008: Bukittinggi, Sumatra

Tourism industry in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, was preparing programs and activities to support the Visit Indonesia Year 2008 and to give the best services to tourists visiting the city. Travel agent, hotel, and restaurant businessmen as well as tourist resort managers are committed to supporting the Visit Indonesia Year 2008.

Bukittinggi planned to organize an International Self Defense Championship in May 2008, a Minangkabau traditional and cultural performance from July 6 to 15, a Pagaruyung Festival in July 2008, and a Dragon Boat Race in Padang. The city also offered discounts for hotel, restaurant and souvenir to tourists this year.

Bukittinggi, about two hour drive from Minangkabau international airport, has 54 star-rated hotels with around 2,000 rooms. The city is situated in highland, at around 800 meters above the sea level. It has interesting tourist objects such as ‘Jam Gadang‘ (Big Clock built by the Dutch in 1926), a Japanese cave built by the Japanese during World War II, Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Canyon), and Taman Bundo Kanduang park as Antara News explained.