Transmigrasi Fun Run Promotes Sport Tourism and MSMEs on Merapi Slopes
The Transmigrasi Festival 2026, held at d’Kaliurang Camping Ground in Hargobinangun, Pakem, Sleman, was not merely a sporting event. Through the Transmigrasi Fun Run, the activity combined sport, tourism, promotion of the transmigration programme, and empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Merapi slope area.
A total of 936 participants were recorded taking part in the Transmigrasi Fun Run. The figure approached 1,000 participants and demonstrated strong public enthusiasm, despite several other events taking place in Yogyakarta at the same time, including three events in Sleman.
Participant enthusiasm was further evident in the variety of outfits on display. A number of participants took part in the race wearing carnival-themed costumes, making the fun run atmosphere lively and colourful.
The organisers also provided a range of attractive prizes for participants. Prizes on offer included electric bicycles and a Yamaha NMax motorcycle, further boosting participants’ motivation to complete the event.
The Chairman of the Sleman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Yudi Prihananta, said the event was initiated by the Sleman Centre for Transmigration Training and Community Empowerment (BBPPMT) under the Ministry of Transmigration and was carried out in collaboration with Kadin Sleman.
According to Yudi, one of the main objectives of the activity was to develop sport tourism while introducing the transformation of the transmigration programme to the public.
“The aim is to support tourism, while introducing the transmigration programme. The transmigration programme has now undergone changes. Transmigration no longer focuses solely on mobilising people, but also on how to introduce superior products from transmigration areas as new centres of economic growth,” said Yudi.
He assessed that the concept could broaden public understanding of transmigration while opening up new economic opportunities.
“Through activities like this, transmigration programmes can become better known to the public, while encouraging economic growth in transmigration areas,” he said.
The Head of BBPPMT Sleman, Tunggak Santosa, said the organisation of the Transmigrasi Fun Run was also directed at supporting the revival of tourism in the North Sleman area, particularly Kaliurang.
According to Tunggak, the North Sleman area faces competition from various tourist destinations in the southern, western, and other regions. Therefore, creative activities are needed that can attract tourists while stimulating community economic activity.
“We want to work together to restore the glory of Kaliurang as one of the leading tourist destinations in Sleman,” said Tunggak.
According to him, the high participation in the Transmigrasi Fun Run was a positive signal for the development of sport tourism on the slopes of Merapi.
With participants reaching nearly 1,000 people, the activity not only brought crowds to the event location but also had the potential to stimulate economic activity in the tourist area.
Tunggak added that the activity deliberately involved a number of MSME players as part of efforts to boost the local economy in the tourist area.
MSMEs were given space to introduce and market their products to participants and members of the public who attended. Thus, the presence of the sporting event was expected to provide a direct economic effect for the surrounding community.
“Alhamdulillah, everything went well and received a positive response from the community,” said Tunggak.
According to him, the combination of sport, tourism, and MSMEs was one of the strengths of the activity. Events such as the Transmigrasi Fun Run can serve as an entry point for introducing the potential of the area while encouraging local communities to benefit from increased visits.
Deputy Regent of Sleman Danang Maharsa also welcomed the organisation of the event positively. According to him, the presence of participants from outside Sleman provided an opportunity to promote tourist destinations in the Kaliurang area and its surroundings.
“We are certainly pleased that Sleman is becoming a tourist destination through activities like this. Hopefully, in addition to sport, this activity can also attract more tourists to come to Sleman,” said Danang.
He said participants came not only from Sleman but also from various regions outside Sleman. Their presence was expected not to stop at the running event but to continue with visits to various tourist destinations in the Kaliurang area and its surroundings.
“When they come here to take part in the activity, it is certainly hoped that they will also visit the various tourist destinations in the Kaliurang area and its surroundings,” he said.
The presence of nearly 1,000 participants, carnival costumes, a range of attractive prizes from electric bicycles to a Yamaha NMax, and the involvement of MSMEs made the event lively.
On the slopes of Merapi, sport is not only a recreational activity but also a momentum for introducing the potential of the region, attracting tourists, and stimulating the local economy.