Erick Thohir: Sport Tourism Potential Must Be Maximised
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Youth and Sports, Erick Thohir, stated that the potential for sport tourism needs to be more effectively developed, as its global value reaches Rp9,500 trillion, while Indonesia currently only captures 0.5 per cent of that global figure.
“This sport has extraordinary potential that we have not fully recognised. If we look at it, the sports industry is worth approximately Rp8,000 trillion, which is an incredible figure. Furthermore, when we discuss sport tourism, it reaches Rp9,500 trillion globally,” said Erick Thohir in Jakarta on Wednesday, while attending the launch of the book “MotoGP Mandalika 2025: Accelerating Economy, Image, and Tourism.”
Erick stated that existing potential must be maximised, as Indonesia’s current share is only about Rp39 trillion, leaving the nation far behind on the global stage.
According to him, once such vast potential is properly tapped, it is believed that the returns will be much greater than what is currently being achieved.
“Based on the data we see today, we only hold 0.5 per cent of the global value, which is approximately Rp39.5 trillion,” he noted.
Erick added that the Mandalika Circuit also contributed approximately Rp5 trillion from the MotoGP event held last year.
He explained that sports can generate extraordinary economic value and serve as one of the most promising forms of investment.
Erick further noted that the nation’s founding father, President Sukarno, also recognised the potential in the field of sports; a few years after independence, the National Sports Week (PON) was organised, followed by the Asian Games.
According to Erick, these were efforts to invest in the nation, as the infrastructure built during that era—such as Gelora Bung Karno, Hotel Indonesia, Sarinah, the Welcome Monument (Tugu Selamat Datang), and the Semanggi Interchange—can still be enjoyed to this day.
“That is how we invest. What does it mean? It is not just an investment in the nation’s character, but also an investment in its economy. And this serves as national branding to this day,” he added.