The Belitung Regency Government is currently focusing its tourism development direction on the sports tourism sector, or sport tourism. This strategic step is taken by optimizing the beauty of the natural landscape and the ecological advantages of the region, which is known for having one of the cleanest air qualities in Indonesia.
This commitment was emphasized by the Regent of Belitung, Djoni Alamsyah Hidayat, when flagging off the participants of the CRF 250 Rally Indonesia event in Tanjungpandan on Friday (17/7/2026). According to Djoni, Belitung possesses very ideal geographical and environmental assets for hosting various national and international sports events.
Thus far, the island, located in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, has often been trusted to host various athletic competitions such as running, cycling, and triathlons. One of the latest successes was hosting the international cycling event Gran Fondo New York (GFNY), which successfully attracted participants from various parts of the world.
In addition to adequate supporting infrastructure, Belitung's comparative advantage lies in its environmental aspects. Real-time air monitoring data shows that the air quality index in Belitung remains excellent. The absence of traffic congestion is also an additional attraction for tourists who long for comfort and relaxation away from the urban routine.
The local government believes that the revitalization of sport tourism will trigger a significant domino effect on the local economy. The arrival of participants and spectators directly breathes life into the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector, ranging from lodging occupancy rates and local culinary delights to local coffee shops that drive the local community's economy.
