The 2026 World Underwater Photography & Videography Championships Set to Ignite Indonesia's Sports Tourism.

In the calm waters of northern Bali, sunlight penetrates the ocean surface and reflects off colorful Coral Reefs. In Pemuteran, the world's underwater lenses will gather from 5-11 October 2026 for the World Underwater Photo and Video Championships.

This event is projected to be not just a competition, but a new catalyst for Indonesian Tourism.

Chairman of Indonesia's National Sports Committee (KONI), Marciano Norman, sees great potential beneath these waves.

"This championship is closely tied to Tourism. I've requested the Chairman (of the All Indonesia Underwater Sports Federation/PB POSSI Makhruzi Rahman) to collaborate with the Minister of Tourism," stated Marciano during a meeting with PB POSSI officials in Jakarta on Monday.

This support confirms Sport Tourism as a bridge between athletic achievement and local economic growth. 

Marciano appreciated PB POSSI's success in convincing the international Diving community to choose Indonesia as host.

For him, this championship also impacts hotel sectors to small businesses around the venue, creating opportunities for coastal communities to engage directly in the global economy.

PB POSSI Chairman Makhruzi Rahman confirmed internal preparations have begun, including a National Working Meeting attended by 28 of 34 provincial administrators.

This momentum shows organizational consolidation ahead of the global stage.

Beyond the world championships, PB POSSI will also hold the Underwater Honey Asia Cup in August in Bogor, West Java.

This competition is projected to involve 500 participants from 12 countries. 

These events strengthen Indonesia's position as a regional hub for underwater sports.

This aligns with Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir's vision to develop sports-based tourism.

According to Erick, Indonesia possesses untapped potential: "We're known for natural tourism attractions, but these environments can also become sports arenas."

This statement resonates in Pemuteran, renowned for its Coral Reef Conservation and crystal-clear waters.