Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana Says Sporting Events Drive Tourist Movement

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said that sporting events are one of the drivers of tourist movement.

‘The impact is not only to drive tourist movement but also to extend the length of stay and mobilise the local economy from the accommodation, transport, culinary sectors to UMKM (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises),’ Widiyanti said at the Geopark Run Series 2026-2027 press conference at the Sapta Pesona building, Central Jakarta, on Friday (22 May 2026).

‘Tourist sport enthusiasts are also known as high spenders, with average spending reaching US$1,500 or around Rp 24 million per visit,’ Widiyanti added.

Further, she said, with the hosting of sporting events, especially at tourist destinations, it is hoped to be an important driver of the economy.

‘In developing tourism products going forward, sports tourism is one of the sectors with great potential for Indonesia,’ said Widi.

Globally, she continued, the UN Tourism also notes that sport tourism accounted for 10 percent of total global tourist arrivals in 2023. That figure is projected to grow to 17.5 percent from 2023 to 2030.

Not only that, Widiyanti continued, Nielsen’s 2025 survey found 86 percent of people are proactively taking care of their health.

‘This shows a big opportunity for developing various lifestyle-health-based events, such as running, cycling, yoga, and wellness festivals,’ Widi said.

Besides delivering economic impact, she added, sport tourism also brings social value by strengthening healthy living, increasing social interaction and fostering pride among residents in their destination.

‘Therefore, we are supporting the organisation of Geopark Run Series as part of strengthening the sports-tourism subsector, while also supporting the Ministry of Tourism’s flagship programs through events by Indonesia,’ she said.

She added that Geopark Run Series has great potential to develop into a signature national event. The event is seen as capable of strengthening Indonesia’s geoparks as leading destinations with global competitiveness.

This running event not only involves local communities, but also international tourists. This is also supported by promotions in various countries, such as Malaysia, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, and Japan.

Of the 12 UNESCO Global Geoparks and 11 National Parks in Indonesia today, the running event will be staged in four destinations.

‘We hope geoparks become better known and provide economic benefits and welfare to the surrounding communities,’ she said.

The Geopark Run Series 2026-2027 will begin with the Ijen Geopark Run in mid-August 2026, specifically Sunday (23 August 2026) at the Ijen Geopark area and Banyuwangi City, East Java.

Next, the Minangkabau Geopark Run, to be held in mid-October 2026, specifically Sunday (25 October 2026), at Jam Gadang, Bukittinggi, West Sumatra.

Then, the Ciletuh Geopark Run will take place in January 2027, specifically Sunday (17 January 2027), at Palangpang Beach, Sukabumi, West Java.

Meanwhile, the Belitong Geopark Run is scheduled for April 2027, specifically Sunday (18 April 2027), at Tanjung Kalayang Beach, Belitung, Bangka Belitung Islands.