Sporting competitions have evolved into a vital component of the tourism industry, now commonly referred to as sports tourism, garnering significant interest from both local and international communities. Indonesia’s sports tourism sector is experiencing steady growth, with its economic value forecasted to reach Rp18.790 trillion by 2024.
The surge in this tourism popularity marks a promising beginning for Indonesia’s tourism sector. Sports tourism has emerged as a pivotal subsector, making substantial contributions to tourism growth.
The promising trajectory of sports tourism growth is undeniable, attracting a sizable market of foreign tourists drawn to sports-oriented activities while exploring Indonesia.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, anticipates continued growth in Indonesia’s sports tourism sector, projecting its economic value to potentially reach Rp18.790 trillion by 2024.
“This figure is extraordinary and heralds a new dawn for tourism and the economy in Indonesia, while also creating vast employment opportunities,” he remarked, quoted from indonesia.go.id.
The concept of sports tourism may not be fully grasped by the general public. In the realm of tourism, industry stakeholders categorize sports tourism into two prevalent types.
Firstly, there’s hard tourism, encompassing regular competitions like the Asian Games, Sea Games, or World Cup. Secondly, soft sports tourism involves sports-related lifestyle activities such as cycling, running, or surfing.
Within the scope of sports tourism activities in Indonesia, there are at least seven major sporting competitions enticing foreign tourists to participate. Some of these events attract adrenaline junkies worldwide seeking adventure in Indonesia, such as the Tour de Singkarak.
Similar cycling competitions to the Tour de Singkarak are increasingly being organized by communities. Cycling through cities or villages offers a delightful experience. The Tour de Singkarak, inaugurated in 2009, has become a sought-after cycling event for domestic and international sports enthusiasts alike.
Taking place around Lake Singkarak in West Sumatra, the race offers participants an exhilarating experience, traversing coastal areas, lakes, and challenging turns.
Apart from West Sumatra, another prestigious world-class cycling race is the Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen. Established in 2012, the event has become a favorite among global adrenaline junkies. Participants race through the breathtaking slopes of Mount Ijen and explore the enchanting landscapes of Banyuwangi.
In addition to cycling races, marathons are another form of sports tourism. Running is a popular sport frequently practiced in various tourist destinations across Indonesia. Some marathons combined with tourism initiatives include the Borobudur Marathon, Bali 10K, and Belitong Geopark Ultra Run.
The trend of this tourism sector is gaining momentum, with the Pontianak City Government leading the charge. They’ve organized the Pontianak City Run event, featuring three categories: 5 kilometers, 10 kilometers, and 21 kilometers.
In acknowledgment of this initiative, Minister Salahuddin Uno commended the Pontianak City Run event held on Sunday (25/2/2024) as a step towards developing sports tourism potential in West Kalimantan, particularly in Pontianak.
“this sector has multifaceted impacts, encompassing health, tourism, and economic benefits,” remarked Sandiaga in the Pontianak City Square.
In addition to fostering this sector in Pontianak, Sandiaga underscored the event’s potential to stimulate the local economy, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). He emphasized the importance of community and governmental innovation in advancing locally-driven tourism sectors and bolstering the nation’s economy.
