Tour de Singkarak Revived, Promoting Minang Heartland Tourism Globally

West Sumatra is once again setting the stage for one of Indonesia's most legendary Sport Tourism icons, the Tour de Singkarak. The regional government aims to make this bicycle race traversing Ranah Minang a tourism experience that unites sports, culture, and natural landscapes into one grand narrative.

"The West Sumatra Provincial Government is preparing a non-competitive Tour de Singkarak (TdS) to promote the tourism sector of Ranah Minang on the international stage," said Head of the West Sumatra Tourism Office, Lila Yanwar, in Padang City.

For West Sumatra, the Tour de Singkarak is more than just a bicycle race. Since its first organization by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2009, this event has become a window showcasing the beauty of Ranah Minang to the world, from winding roads at the foothills to villages with terraced rice fields.

Now, a new concept is being prepared. Besides the main competition, the regional government will also present a non-competitive TdS with a more inclusive sport tourism approach.

"So, besides the competition, we are also preparing a non-competitive TdS, promoting the sport tourism concept so that West Sumatra's tourism becomes more widely known internationally," Lila stated.

Through this concept, tourists won't just come to watch the race, but also to enjoy the experience of exploring West Sumatra's exotic routes by bicycle, while directly engaging with local culinary offerings, culture, and community life.

The organization of TdS will involve the West Sumatra Tourism Office and the Youth and Sports Office. The government hopes this synergy can simultaneously strengthen two sectors: sports and tourism.

Several areas prepared to be part of the route include Padang City, Tanah Datar Regency, Padang Panjang City, Bukittinggi City, Pesisir Selatan Regency, Dharmasraya Regency, Solok Selatan Regency, and Agam Regency. 

These routes are known for their dramatic panoramas, ranging from misty valleys to roads facing directly towards lakes and hills.

Currently, the government is re-verifying the readiness of these areas, including budget support and road infrastructure.

"One aspect concerns the readiness of the regency and city budgets, which are available in the 2027 budget implementation documents for the 2027 TdS," she said.

Regarding infrastructure repair costs, Lila mentioned it is still in the planning stage together with the West Sumatra Public Works, Housing, and Spatial Planning Office and the central government.

After its last edition in 2019, the Tour de Singkarak was planned to return in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Now, that hope is being revived. The West Sumatra Provincial Government wants to make TdS 2027 a momentum to bring the world's attention back to Ranah Minang.

More than just a race, the Tour de Singkarak is projected to become a new driving force for tourism, the Creative Economy, and local MSMEs.