Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno: Oceanman Bali 2022 Becomes Momentum For Economic Awakening And Job Opening

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno. (Photo: Doc. Kemenparekraf)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf), Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno revealed that the implementation of the Oceanman Bali 2022 event is a momentum for economic revival and job creation for the community, especially in Bali.

Oceanman is an open water swimming competition held at Muaya Beach, Jimbaran on 1-2 July 2022. This competition was attended by 481 participants, consisting of 386 local participants and 75 foreign participants from 14 countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Spain, Russia , Ukraine, Belarus and Vietnam.

Oceanman competed in four categories, namely Oceankid with a distance of 1 kilometer, Sprint Oceanman with a distance of 2 kilometers, Half Oceanman with a distance of 5 kilometers, and Oceanman with a distance of 10 kilometers. The route of this event forms a triangle with the shortest side distance of 333.3 m, the intermediate side 666.6 m, and the widest side for the Oceanman category each side is 1.66 km.

"Every event or event involves MSMEs and this event can always stimulate the economy. And sports tourism can not only (switch) sports and activities but also (market) local MSME products," said Sandiaga After participating in Oceanman Bali 2022, Saturday July 2nd.

Sandiaga said the 481 participants who participated in this activity also had a big impact on the revival of the tourism sector and the creative economy again. Because, he saw many participants who invited their families to travel and sightseeing in Bali.

Thus, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy also encourages the increase in the implementation of sports tourism-based events in Indonesia.

"I think we should push it because every event, whether regional or international, has a tremendous impact," he said.

In addition, Sandiaga also revealed that in order to maintain the momentum of the revival of tourism in Bali, there needs to be an even distribution of tourist visits throughout the island of Bali, so that tourist visits are not only concentrated in the southern part of Bali. This must also be accompanied by strict and disciplined implementation of health protocols.

"If all tourists accumulate in southern Bali, there will be overcrowding and overtourism. To prevent overtourism, we will raise areas that need a touch of tourism events and activities," said Sandiaga.

On this occasion, Sandiaga also shared his experience of swimming in the high seas in this event. In which, he participated in the 2 kilometer Oceanman Sprint category.

"The water is cool and the current is strong. I actually didn't practice but wanted to give enthusiasm and motivation to the participants," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, revealed that the existence of these sports tourism events is proof that Bali is safe for tourists to visit. "We also hope that in the future there will be many events like this held because it provides a large multiplier effect," said Tjok Bagus.

In this activity, Sandiaga was accompanied by the Director of National and International Events of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Dessy Ruhati.