International Sports Events to Lure Foreign Tourists: Tourism Minister
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno as the guest of the 10th episode of Podkabs, Cabinet and Cabinet Secretariat’s podcast, aired on Saturday (01/14)
The Government affirmed its commitment to increase the number of international tourist arrivals by hosting several international sports events.
The statement was made by Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno in a press statement after joining a limited meeting led by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (01/25).
“This year, the target is 7.4 [million] foreign tourists. Thus, one of the strategies [to meet the target] is by holding world class events, international events,” he said.
The first event is the Formula 1 Powerboat Racing World Championship which will be held in Lake Toba, North Sumatra province, over the weekend of 24th – 26th February, 2023.
“The preparation for the event is ongoing. Hopefully, it can run smoothly, lure 25,000 tourists, and drive the local economy in Lake Toba,” he added.
For the record, Indonesia will also host other international sports events, such as the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The Minister expressed hope that the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup can give positive contribution to the Indonesian national football and economy, as well as enhance the country’s image for successfully hosting various international events.
He went on to say that his office is still working on the preparation, budgeting, and target of foreign exchange from these events. He projected that sports tourism will lure around 100-120 thousand tourists and bring US$500 million of foreign exchange out of the estimated total figure of US$5.9 billion.
In addition, Indonesia will host the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games in Bali in August. The Games will invite 205 countries and this event is expected to speed up the recovery of tourism and creative economy sectors.
Besides hosting several sports events, Indonesia will also host the ASEAN Tourism Forum on February 3rd, 2023, in Yogyakarta.
“We have completed all preparations. Almost all ministers will attend and we hope this will make an economic impact of around 100 million [US$] to the recovery of tourism and creative economy [sectors] in the super priority [tourist] destination of Borobudur,” he stated. (SLN/BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (RAS/MMB)
