The Ministry of Tourism along with the Government of Banyuwangi Regency launched “TOP 77 Calendar of Event Banyuwangi Indonesia Festival 2018” at Balairung Soesilo Soedarman, Gedung Sapta Pesona, Jakarta (1/2). Top 77 Calender of Event is an effort of Banyuwangi Regency to presenting attractions to increase tourist visits to Banyuwangi. Top 77 Events mentioned there are three featured events be part of the 100 Calendar of Event Wonderful Indonesia (CoE WI) 2018. Namely Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival (BEC), International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (ITdBI) and Gandrung Sewu. Specially, Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival itself included on the Top 10 National Events.
Banyuwangi Regent, Abdullah Azwar Anas, explained that 77 attractive tourism events will explore the culture, natural beauty, sports to various potential areas that will certainly be an interesting spectacle for tourists. It also supports the Visit Wonderful Indonesia (VIWI) 2018 in reaching the target of 17 million foreign tourist visits in 2018 and 20 million in 2019. Recorded in 2016, tourists visits to Banyuwangi as many as 77 thousand foreign tourists and 4 million domestic. In 2017, foreign tourist visits increased to 91 thousand foreign tourist with foreign exchange earnings reaching 546 billion rupiahs.
Azwar Anas added that the strength of Banyuwangi Tourism is on the participation of all society so as to create TOP 77 calendar events. Where the 5 events become the leading in foreign tourist visits, namely Internasional Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen, Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival, Festival Gandrung Sewu, Banyuwangi Beach Jazz Festival, and Jazz Ijen.
In addition, from the TOP 77 events there are a number of new activities. Among the Festival Tahu Tempe which will take place on 9
th to 13
rd February, 2018. Beside there will be a Lunar Festival which will feature a typical Chinese news tradition on 17
th March, Dance Festival on 31
st March, Fishing Festival on 7
th April, Chocolate Festival on 12
th May and Kuntulajn Festival on 3
rd to 6
th October.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya appreciate to Banyuwangi who actively package tourism event in order to promote and increase tourist visit to Banyuwangi. Branding Banyuwangi as The City of Carnival and Festival must have quality events throughout the year, and TOP 77 calendar events will encourage tourists to visit Banyuwangi because every day can see the carnival and festival.
Banyuwangi has been designated as one of 10 branding or co-branding destinations of Wonderful Indonesia under the brand "Banyuwangi The City of Carnival and Festival. This is due to the readiness of its 3A elements (attractions, amenitas, and accessibility) especially air connectivity with the operation of Blimbingsari Airport Banyuwangi. Connected a number of national airlines from Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali.
"In terms of attractions, Banyuwangi recorded the fastest growing because it involves the entire potential of the community. If 2012 only has 12 events, 2017 will be increased to 72 events, and this year will be 77 events with a number of featured events included in CoE WI 2018, "explained Arief Yahya.
https://pesona.indonesia.travel/berita/top-77-calender-of-event-banyuwangi-indonesia-festival-2018/
