East Java declares itself an event province to boost tourism

The Provincial Government of East Java has declared the region a province with the highest number of events to increase tourist visits, with around 30 per cent of travellers coming because of various agendas held in 38 regencies and cities. “We declare ourselves as the province with the most events. This has been proven by the thousands of events in East Java,” said Evy Afianasari, Head of the East Java Culture and Tourism Office, on the sidelines of the Malang Trail Runners (Mantra) 116 in Pasuruan Regency, East Java, on Saturday. Evy stated that one of the provincial government’s strategies is to optimise the sport tourism sector as an economic driver while increasing tourist visits, including foreign tourists. According to her, strengthening the eco-sport tourism concept is believed to be able to increase the number of foreign tourist visits, in line with the organisation of Mantra 116, which was attended by 4,014 runners from 22 countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia. The event, held from 3 to 5 July 2026, returned after being halted due to the pandemic. The activity, now in its 10th year, featured six distance categories, ranging from 10 kilometres to 116 kilometres, with the addition of a new Lincing route. East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said that hosting international-scale sporting events has an economic impact on the hospitality, transportation, and local community business sectors. “Today we will explore the slopes of Arjuno and the beauty of Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park. How we enjoy Indonesia with its nature, and hopefully this becomes sport tourism that will be positive energy for all of us. More innovative, more creative, and of course we hope to start happy, finish happy,” said Khofifah. She assessed that agendas like Mantra 116 also strengthen East Java’s position as a leading tourist destination while encouraging an increase in foreign tourist visits. Meanwhile, Head of the East Java Forestry Office Jumadi said his office had issued a Conservation Area Entry Permit (Simaksi) so that the Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park (Tahura) area could be utilised for sport tourism activities. “And for the umpteenth time, I asked yesterday that Mantra also campaign regarding preservation, then enrichment of the conservation area is important,” said Jumadi. According to him, organising the activity also serves as a means of campaigning for environmental preservation, which is in line with efforts to protect conservation areas while developing nature-based tourism in East Java.