Jakarta (ANTARA) -
Indonesia’s Tourism and Youth and Sports ministries have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop sports tourism and boost visitor numbers through sporting events and infrastructure.
The agreement, signed on Monday in Jakarta by Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana and Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir, outlines coordinated programs integrating sports and tourism across the country.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) covers human resource development, promotion of sports culture at tourist destinations, and marketing sports tourism through key events and activities.
Ministers also agreed to collaborate on infrastructure use, data sharing, and initiatives aligned with each ministry’s authority to enhance the appeal of Indonesian destinations.
"This MoU provides a crucial foundation to maximize the use of sports infrastructure, host sporting events at tourist destinations, and strengthen cross-sector planning and coordination," Wardhana said in a statement on Tuesday.
Indonesia has been positioning sport tourism as a significant economic contributor. Government data shows the sector’s economic value reached around Rp18.79 trillion (US$1.12 billion) in 2024, accounting for an estimated 25-30 percent of the total national event tourism economy. This growth reflects rising demand for sports-related travel and its expanding impact on local businesses and tourism revenue.
Wardhana highlighted sports tourism’s economic impact, citing the 2025 Pocari Sweat Run in Lombok, which drew 9,000 participants, 70 percent from outside the island, generating an estimated Rp85.5 billion (US$5.1 million).
She emphasized integrating wellness, sports, music, and culture into sustainable, experience-driven events to boost high-quality tourism in Indonesia.
Minister Thohir added that the partnership strengthens regional sports activities and hopes the collaboration sets a positive example of effective inter-ministerial cooperation.
