MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Tourism (DOT), in partnership with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) and the Municipality of Puerto Galera, will be holding the Inaugural Hong Kong to Puerto Galera Yacht Race on April 17 to 21, 2019.

The race will start in RHKYC’s Kellett Island Clubhouse located in Causeway Bay, racing for a distance of 650 nautical miles passage to Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. This will be the second longest Category 1 yacht race in Asia, after the Hong Kong to Vietnam Race.

Race organizers say that Puerto Galera is a perfect place to end the competition, as its surrounding beaches and coves offers activities and facilities one could wish for in a tropical paradise: scuba diving, snorkeling, golf, kayaking, hiking, swimming, tennis, bars, music and restaurants.

The Hong Kong to Puerto Galera Yacht Race is planned to take place on alternate years to the Rolex China Sea Race, which finishes in Subic Bay, Olongapo City, Zambales. Last year’s edition of the Rolex China Sea Race saw a 29 entries and the RHKYC expects similar numbers for the inaugural Hong Kong to Puerto Galera Yacht Race.

The DOT believes that this will attract more visitors to Puerto Galera, in line with the agency’s thrust of boosting adventure-based tourism to the region based on the 2016-2022 National Tourism Development Plan.