The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenpar) emphasized the strategic role of sports tourism as a catalyst for promoting tourist destinations while driving the local economic wheel. Senior Expert Tourism and Creative Economy Officer at Kemenpar, Vinsensius Jemandu, stated that sporting events can attract large crowds at relatively efficient promotional costs, yet yield a significant economic impact.
Vinsensius explained that every regional sporting event directly revitalizes the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector. In addition, these activities trigger domestic tourist movement from various regions to visit the event venue. Therefore, the government hopes that every tourist destination in Indonesia can organize various fitness activities to enhance the region's appeal.
The wellness tourism trend itself has experienced rapid growth post the COVID-19 pandemic. Vinsensius noted a shift in the tourism product portfolio. While cultural tourism previously dominated international visits, man-made tourism products—including sport tourism—have now experienced a significant increase in contribution, reaching up to 20 percent.
This shift is viewed positively as it impacts the quality of tourist spending and foreign exchange earnings. This phenomenon is also evident in the changing behavior of Indonesia's younger generation, who now prefer participating in sporting events such as running over merely spending time in cafes. This reflects a collective public awareness of the importance of health, leading to the strengthening of the national tourism ecosystem.
