The East Java Provincial Government is increasingly serious about developing the sport tourism sector as a strategic instrument to boost tourist visits, both domestic and foreign. According to data from the East Java Culture and Tourism Office, approximately 30 percent of tourists visit the region due to the appeal of sporting events.
One clear piece of evidence showcasing the effectiveness of this strategy is the success of the Malang Trail Runners (Mantra) 116 event, which was recently held in Pasuruan in early July 2026. The trail running event successfully attracted 4,014 runners from 22 countries, spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The Head of the East Java Culture and Tourism Office, Evy Afianasari, is optimistic that maturing the eco-sport tourism concept will double the number of foreign travelers compared to the previous year. The surge in tourist arrivals to buffer zones like Pasuruan is seen as having a direct impact on Local Revenue (PAD), particularly through the culinary and entertainment tax sectors.
On the other hand, cross-sector collaboration continues to be strengthened, including support from the East Java Provincial Forestry Office. The utilization of the Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park (Tahura) area is now integrated as a sport tourism space that still prioritizes environmental conservation aspects and nature preservation campaigns.
The local government is currently designing the expansion of sports routes to cross the network of tourist villages on mountain slopes. This step was taken to ensure a more inclusive distribution of economic growth, so that the benefits of tourism are not only concentrated in urban areas, while also strengthening East Java's investment competitiveness on the international stage.
