Sentul, Bogor – In a relaxed yet visionary atmosphere in Sentul, West Java, Bogor Mayor Dedie A. Rachim sat down with the @Indotravelsport team, Syafira and Raisa, to dissect the future of the "Rain City". During an hour-long exclusive conversation, Dedie outlined Bogor's major transformation from merely a stopover city into a barometer for Sport Tourism and world-class Historical Tourism in Indonesia.
Identity Evolution: Bogor is More Than Just Culinary and Traffic
Opening the discussion, Dedie asserted that Bogor's identity is now undergoing fundamental evolution. Although the public has fallen in love for decades with legendary culinary spots like Sop Buntut Mak Emun, Laksa Gang Aut, and Doclang, Bogor's future potential actually lies in its natural wealth and the strengthening of integrated sports infrastructure.
"Bogor has a life expectancy index reaching 75.6 years. This is an indicator that our air quality and environment strongly support a healthy lifestyle. It is this spirit of exercising that we want to strengthen as the foundation of a new economic engine for the residents," Dedie stated.
Ambition to Become the Epicenter of Sport Tourism & City of Martial Arts
A major strategy has been launched to make Bogor the City of Martial Arts and a national running sports center. Currently, the Bogor City Government is undertaking a total renovation of the Pajajaran Sports Center (GOR) to meet international standards, including improvements to the athletic track and Mila Kencana swimming pool. Not only that, the construction of a 26-30 km pedestrian path now allows residents and tourists to enjoy the city's aesthetics simply by walking or running.
According to Dedie, the support of a scenic environment will ensure every Sports Event, such as trail runs already popular internationally, provides a significant domino effect for local MSMEs and the hospitality sector. "The city's carrying capacity is very strong. Whatever the event, Bogor is already ready in terms of facilities," he added.
Pakuan Tram Innovation: Modern Mobility Solution Based on Attractions
One of the most visionary points is the plan to operate the Pakuan Tram. Dedie explained that this tram will be a modern mobility solution as well as an iconic tourist attraction connecting crucial points like Bogor Station, the Botanical Garden, and Bogor Palace.
"In the future, connectivity is key. People from Jakarta can just take the LRT to Bogor, then explore the city using the tram. We are building a transportation ecosystem that makes tourists feel comfortable without getting stuck in angkot (public minivan) traffic jams," he explained. This aligns with regulations limiting the age of city transport vehicles to create a fresher transportation image in the era of Whoosh High-Speed Train.
Preserving Historical Roots through the Pakajaran Museum and Southern 'Hidden Gems'
On the other hand, historical tourism remains an anchor of identity. With seven iconic museums, Bogor offers deep historical education for the Younger Generation. Dedie also shared the latest news on the development of the Pakajaran Museum in Batu Tulis. This prestigious project receives collection support from ministries and international research data from Leiden University, Netherlands.
Additionally, the Bogor City Government is accelerating infrastructure development in the South Bogor area. One ambitious project is the completion of the Bogor Inner Ring Road (BIRR) and plans to build an iconic bridge connecting Genteng and Pamoyanan Villages. This bridge is predicted to offer spectacular views of Mount Salak and Mount Gede, with the backdrop of the Cisadane River, rumored to resemble the atmosphere of San Francisco.
Boundaryless Administrative Synergy
Closing the conversation, Dedie emphasized that Bogor's tourism progress must not be hindered by administrative boundaries between the City and Regency. Regional synergy, such as between Bogor and Sentul, is non-negotiable for attracting investors and broadly advancing People's Economy.
This podcast is strong evidence that under the leadership of Dedie A. Rachim, Bogor is moving rapidly towards becoming a modern, healthy, and world-class city, without ever abandoning its grand historical roots.
