Pacu Line Increasingly Global, Now Becomes A Tourism Commercialization Event?

Pacu Jalan is a tradition of the people of Kuantan Singingi, Riau, which has been passed down from generation to generation since hundreds of years ago.

The competition to row long boats on the Kuantan River is not only a people's party, but also a symbol of togetherness, sportsmanship, and the richness of Malay culture. Now, Pacu Line is developing into a leading tourist attraction that is able to attract the attention of domestic and foreign tourists.

Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana called "The Pacu Line Festival" an icon of tourism success from the country known by the world.

"Pacu Jalan is a unique Indonesian cultural heritage which is now also part of our strategy to strengthen nation branding and expand cultural diplomacy as a tourism magnet," said Widiyanti in an official statement in Jakarta.

In the official opening of the "2025 Traditional Path Pacu Festival" at Limuno Field, Kuantan Singingi, Riau on Wednesday (20/8), Widiyanti appreciated all parties for their dedication to maintaining, preserving, and developing the cultural icon of Pacu Line to become increasingly known to the world.

The Pacu Jalan Festival, he said, has been consistently included in the "Karisma Event Nusantara/KEN" program belonging to the Ministry of Tourism since 2022. Even in 2024, this festival managed to penetrate the ranks of the Top 10 KEN.

In 2024, this cultural attraction managed to record visits to 1.4 million tourists with an economic turnover of Rp42.16 billion. This achievement is proof of Pacu Jalan not only a cultural heritage, but also a regional economic driving force.

Widiyanti emphasized that the Ministry of Tourism will continue to cooperate with various parties, both ministries/agencies and industries, to improve the quality of events, including providing facilities and accessibility so that tourists feel more comfortable.

"The Ministry of Tourism will continue to support improving quality, both through strengthening human resources, developing event ecosystems, to promotions to domestic and international markets," he said.

He hopes that other regional festivals can also be the main attraction of tourism that is able to drive the local economy as well as provide sustainable benefits.

On that occasion, the Minister of Tourism accompanied Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during the release of participants at the 2025 Traditional Path Pacu Festival.

The two greeted the community along the Kuantan River by boat to the main stage.

"The presence of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka is a form of the government's commitment to continue to support cultural development as a national force," he said.

Riau Regent, Abdul Wahid, expressed his pride because the Pacu Line, which is the identity of the Malay culture, especially Kuantan Singingi, is now worldwide. From the banks of the Kuantan River, the echoes of Pacu Jalan have reached the international stage.

"Let's show the best service, Malay hospitality, and Riau's smiling and polite face. With that, God willing, Pacu Path will not only be a people's party but also a blessing for Riau tourism as well as raise people's dignity and economy," he said.

The 2025 Traditional Path Pacu Festival will last until August 24, 2025. The governor targets the number of visitors this year to reach 1.5 million people with a turnover of IDR 75 billion.