Jakarta, Aug. 26 -- An Indonesian tourism official said the successful implementation of the recent Pacu Jalur Festival in Kuantan Singingi, Riau, had a significant impact on the local economy and the country's image.

"Pacu Jalur is not merely a traditional sporting event, but also a cultural tourism magnet with a strong impact on the regional economy and Indonesia's global image," said Vinsensius Jemadu, Deputy for Event Development at the Ministry of Tourism, in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Pacu Jalur - a centuries-old rowing race - is included in the ministry's list of 110 flagship events under the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program and was among the top ten KEN events in 2024.

Jemadu said the program aims to improve the quality of region...