The Success Of The Mandalika MotoGP Makes Sandiaga Even More Convinced That Sport Tourism Is The Motor Of The Indonesian Economy

Photo via Twitter MotoGP

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno is increasingly convinced that the potential for sport tourism-based tourist destinations is able to boost the country's economic recovery.

The implementation of the Mandalika MotoGP is considered to be a boost for Indonesia's name on the world stage, especially for sports tourism. Sandiaga believes that sport tourism can be a motor in winning the nation's economy.

"I believe that sport tourism is a tourist destination that won Indonesia's (economy) during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Sandiaga in his statement, Monday, March 21.

The revival of MSMEs is the most tangible form of economic revival that has been impacted by the benefits of holding this world-class event. Moreover, the rise of MSMEs is a mandate that was directly instructed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.

"From Mandalika itself, we are targeting a total of IDR 500 billion (revenue from organizing MotoGP) and around 30,000-40000 new jobs that can be created with this MotoGP event," he explained.

Sandiaga Uno explained that the income could come from various sources of income. These include ticket sales, sponsorship, food and beverages, and merchandise. Not to mention from ship tickets, flights, and others including taxes.

Thousands of MSMEs are also mentioned as being facilitated from the results of curation across ministries and institutions, namely the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Kemenparekraf, and Bank Indonesia and even the NTB Regional Government.

“This event also facilitates 1,256 MSMEs. A total of 35,000 to 50,000 jobs were created, either directly or indirectly, from the 2022 Mandalika MotoGP," he said.

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) estimates that the economic value of sport tourism in Indonesia in 2024 will reach Rp. 18.79 trillion. This estimate is based on several sporting events to be held such as the Tour de Singkarak in West Sumatra, Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen in East Java. , Borobudur Marathon in Central Java, Belitong Geopark Ultra Run in Bangka Belitung, Ironman Bintan in Riau Islands, World Surf League in Bali, World Superbike and MotoGP 2022 in NTB, and Tour de Flores in NTT.

One of the events that is currently in the spotlight is the Mandalika MotoGP in NTB. This event cost an investment of Rp 1.2 trillion for the construction of the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit alone. The 4.3 km long circuit is equivalent to the construction cost of 10 km of toll roads.

According to him, sports tourism destinations have a big impact with unstoppable potential, because Indonesia has a variety of locations that can host international events in the future.