Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno stated that the success of the 2024 Tokyo Marathon in Japan, which was participated by more than 38 thousand participants from various countries, could serve as an inspiration and encouragement as well as a benchmark in organizing sports-based events to attract tourists to Indonesia.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno participated in the Tokyo Marathon 2024 in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday (4/3/2024).
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga, in his statement on Tuesday (5/3/2024), mentioned that his participation in the Tokyo Marathon 2024 a few days ago was not just about participating but also about learning more about the organization of one of the six running races that are part of the World Marathon Majors.
"Indonesia wants to learn from Japan regarding the success of the 2024 Tokyo Marathon, which is one of the best tourism sports events in the world," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga.
Sport tourism is a growing market in the tourism sector, especially after the pandemic. According to data, sports tourism contributes about 10 percent to global tourism spending and is projected to grow by 17.5 percent from 2023 to 2030. In Indonesia, the potential for sport tourism is estimated to reach Rp19 trillion by 2024. This is supported by the country's beautiful natural potential, diverse natural landscapes, vast territories, and a variety of cultures and friendly communities, making Indonesia an ideal destination for sports tourism.
"We need to bring back this enthusiasm to our homeland to support sports tourism activities, bringing in high-quality sporting events that can attract many international tourists," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno.
Through targeted, beneficial, and timely programs, it is hoped that this will be able to stimulate the national economy. By leveraging the potential of sport tourism, Indonesia can not only attract tourists but also create opportunities for local businesses and communities to thrive. It is important to continue promoting and organizing sporting events that showcase the country's natural beauty and cultural diversity, as this will contribute to the growth and development of the tourism industry in Indonesia.
This is what we strongly advocate for, because through sports tourism, we can create new business opportunities and job openings. Just like during the MotoGP event in Mandalika, where 35,000-45,000 job opportunities were created not only in Lombok but nationally as well," said Sandiaga.
In addition to participating in the Tokyo Marathon, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno, during his working visit to Japan, also met with several players in the tourism industry to strengthen tourism cooperation in increasing the number of Japanese tourists visiting Indonesia.
Sandiaga's efforts to promote sports tourism and strengthen ties with key players in the tourism industry are crucial steps towards boosting Indonesia's tourism sector and creating more employment opportunities in the country. Through collaborations and partnerships, the potential for growth in the tourism industry remains promising, benefiting both the economy and the local communities.