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Pasola Festival 2026: Ancient Spear-Throwing Ritual Begins in Kodi The iconic Pasola Festival, a traditional ritual of spear-throwing on horseback, commenced its 2026 season in the Kodi area of West Sumba. Guided by the appearance of the nyale (sea worms), the event serves as a thanksgiving ritual to ancestral spirits and attracted thousands of visitors to witness the intense displays of bravery and Sumbanese cultural identity. Backindo • 9 Feb 2026 Sumba Ranked as Top 18 Global Destination by Tatler Travel Sumba has been named one of the top 18 must-visit destinations for 2026 by Tatler Travel, placing it alongside global hotspots. The ranking emphasizes the island's appeal to "quiet luxury" travelers seeking authentic connections with nature and culture away from the crowds of mass tourism, solidifying its reputation as Indonesia's rising eco-luxury gem. IndonesiaJuara • 5 Feb 2026 Forbes Lists Sumba in “Top 12 World Destinations for 2025/26” In a significant endorsement, Forbes Travel highlighted Sumba as one of the elite global destinations for 2025 and 2026. The publication praised the island’s ability to offer "cinematic savannas" and "authentic animist culture" without… Forbes Travel / IndonesiaJuara • 27 Jan 2026 Sumba’s “Green Zone” Investment Status (Jan 2026) In a major strategic update, the Indonesian government officially classified Sumba as a primary "Green Zone" for foreign investment. This designation prioritizes projects that utilize 100% renewable energy and maintain a minimum of 70%… Indoned Consultancy • 26 Jan 2026 Opening of Myze Hotel Waingapu Signals East Sumba Expansion While West Sumba has traditionally held the luxury spotlight, the recent opening of the Myze Hotel Waingapu marks a significant shift for East Sumba. Managed by the Artotel Group, this premium property features 127 rooms and… Travel And Tour World • 14 Jan 2026 Infrastructure Milestone: Trans-Sumba Highway Completion The Indonesian government has reached a major milestone in the "Infrastructure Revolution" for the island. The Trans-Sumba Highway, a fully paved arterial road, now connects Waingapu in the east to Tambolaka in the west. This… Kabisu Sumba Investment Outlook • 14 Jan 2026 Tambolaka Airport Expansion Boosts Capacity for 2026 To meet the rising demand for "raw luxury" travel, Tambolaka Airport (TMC) has completed its terminal expansions. The airport’s capacity has jumped from 90,000 to 350,000 passengers annually. This upgrade supports new charter flight potential… Indoned Consultancy / Ministry of Public Works • 10 Jan 2026 New “All-in-One” Digital Entry Requirements Launched Starting in January 2026, Indonesia has streamlined its entry process. Travelers must now complete a single online portal that combines the Arrival Card, Health Declaration, and Customs Declaration. This digital pass generates a QR code… Come2Indonesia • 6 Jan 2026 Myze Hotel Waingapu: East Sumba’s New Anchor (Dec 2025) The grand opening of the Myze Hotel by Artotel has fundamentally changed the landscape of Waingapu. As the first major premium hotel in the east, it is attracting a new demographic of corporate and… Travel And Tour World • 11 Dec 2025 Tambolaka Airport Connectivity Surge (Dec 2025) To support the year-end travel peak, Tambolaka Airport in West Sumba reported a record-breaking increase in daily flights from Denpasar and Jakarta. The expansion of terminal facilities has now allowed for larger aircraft types… Bali Star Island / Ministry of Transportation • 5 Dec 2025 ↑