Indonesia' s Bali, Bintan grab best 2016 Asia Triathlon sites

Indonesian resorts islands of Bali and Bintan grabbed international appreciations as Asia' s best sites to host triathlon sports recently awarded by AsiaTRI.com, a prominent website that covers tourism sports events in 12 nations and regions.

Bali obtained Best Overall Short Course Triathlon in Asia 2016 title for Bali International Triathlon.

Meanwhile, Riau province' s Bintan secured two titles comprised of Best Long Distance Triathlon Swim Course in Asia 2016 and Best Long Distance Triathlon Bike Course in Asia 2016 for the Ironman 70.3 Bintan sports events.

The two events in Bali and Bintan were held in August, participated by thousands of the tourism sports athletes from over 50 nations and regions.

"Organizing tourism sports like triathlon, cycling and all kinds of colossal-scaled sports would benefit our tour destinations," Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said in a statement released on Thursday to respond to the latest international achievement of national tourism sector.

He added that based on survey results, 60 percent of those taking part in tourism sports would return to the site with their families for vacation

The 2016 Bali International Triathlon was praised as a well-organized event in Asia, one of world' s safest in tourism sports as the roads were totally closed from public vehicles during the event.

The event was also featured with a particular traditional touch through the holy blessing ceremony for athlete' s bicycles and cocktail feast for participants at the end of the event.

The website also praised for the beautiful natural sceneries passed through by the athletes during the event and the high quality of roads in Bali that the website regards of comparable to world-class road race championships.

"Those have added to the event' s positive development, particularly for the rookie athletes. It now becomes flatter and safer," the website writes.

Previously last year, the website awarded Bali International Triathlon with Best Destination Race-Short Course title.

Meanwhile Indonesia' s resorts island of Bintan, which is located near Singapore, is highly commended to host the next similar international sports event for its terrain and natural condition that fit for the tourism sports.

"This event has everything it takes to become one of the best in Asia due to its convenient access, fun and challenging courses. This is very good for the athletes and families," Vinnie Santana, an AsiaTRI.com contributor, said.

Bintan offers warm shallow beautiful coasts, friendly terrain, straight tracks and exciting views of sea, villages and plantations, the website remarked.

Indonesia' s tourism sector garnered international recognitions in the last few weeks. It previously seized most of best titles in 2016 World Halal Tourism Award and 2016 outstanding liveaboard diving destination award. Endit