Not Just a Vacation! Government's New Strategy to Boost Tourism Through Sports Tourism

The Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) have agreed to strengthen the development of sports tourism, a concept blending destination experiences with the pulse of competition and active lifestyles.

This agreement was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana and Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir in Jakarta on Monday, December 22, 2025. 

This cross-sectoral cooperation paves the way for optimizing sports infrastructure, organizing events at Tourist Destinations, and more cohesive integrated planning from upstream to downstream.

"This Memorandum of Understanding forms a crucial foundation for optimizing the use of sports infrastructure, organizing sports events in tourist destinations, and strengthening cross-sectoral coordination and planning," stated the Tourism Minister in Kemenpar's press release.

More than a ceremonial agenda, this memorandum establishes a collaborative foundation for designing and implementing programs that integrate sports and tourism in a targeted and efficient manner. 

It encompasses capacity building for youth, sports, and tourism human resources; promoting sports culture through campaigns in tourist destinations; and strengthening marketing of Sports Tourism services by hosting events across various regions.

The collaboration also includes developing and promoting sports and tourism, utilizing and developing sports facilities as tourist attractions, exchanging data and information, and other relevant activities aligned with each ministry's duties. 

For Indonesia—an archipelago nation with diverse landscapes—sports tourism presents a natural opportunity to deliver authentic and sustainable travel experiences.

Widiyanti emphasized that sports tourism has the potential to become a lever for national tourism growth. 

This activity not only attracts tourists but also extends their length of stay and stimulates supporting sectors like accommodation, transportation, culinary, and local crafts.

"Sports tourism also brings positive social impacts, such as encouraging healthy lifestyles, strengthening social interactions, and fostering community pride in local tourist destinations," she said.

Moving forward, Kemenpar positions Wellness Tourism as a key focus in realizing quality tourism. The approach shifts from being partial to weaving together cross-interest experiences.

From the sports perspective, Kemenpora views this synergy as an effective way to invigorate sports activities in tourist destinations while expanding benefits for local communities.

"Hopefully this collaboration can set a positive example that when ministries work together, we can create something impactful for Indonesia," he stated.

Amid global competition among tourist destinations, Indonesia now advances with a strategy integrating nature, culture, and human energy. 

Sports tourism is not merely about races or events, but journeys that leave lasting imprints on the body, communities, and local economies.