15 countries to join martial arts festival in West Java

West Java plans to hold two international festivals later this year in a bid to lure a targeted 1.3 million international tourists.

West Java Tourism and Culture Agency head Ida Hernida said there would be an international pencak silat martial arts festival, probably held in Bandung, and a surfing festival at Cimaja Beach in Sukabumi regency.

“Some 15 countries have registered to join the pencak silat festival,” Ida said on Monday, as quoted by news agency Antara. She added that dozens of countries had expressed interest in joining the surfing event.

According to her, Cimaja Beach was known as a “heaven” among national and international surfers for its long beach line and high waves.

West Java was upbeat about reaching its target of 1.3 million tourists, Ida said. “Last year, some 1.1 million foreign tourists visited West Java.”  (JakartaPost)