Yogyakarta Has Strong Potential for Sport Tourism, Minister Says

Yogyakarta possesses significant potential to solidify its position as a premier tourist destination through the development of sport tourism, according to Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir. He highlighted the region's harmonious blend of natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and capacity for hosting international-scale events.

"With the strength of culture and destinations that Yogyakarta has, it can be a catalyst for tourist visits while creating new economic growth sources," Thohir stated at the Mandiri Jogja Marathon event. He noted the marathon's growth since 2017, from thousands to tens of thousands of participants, with this year's event drawing 10,200 runners from 17 countries. "From this event alone, it is proven that Yogyakarta is capable of attracting more participants, both domestic and international tourists. This means Yogyakarta has strong capital for this sport tourism," he added.

Bank Mandiri's Deputy President Director, Henry Panjaitan, explained that the marathon was designed not only for competition but also to benefit the local community. He cited a Mandiri Institute study showing that the 2025 event boosted local spending by 11.6 percent during the event week. With this year's significant increase in participants, Panjaitan projected an even greater economic impact, especially for the hotel sector, transportation providers, culinary businesses, tourism services, and local enterprises.

Imam Pratanadi, Head of the Yogyakarta Special Region Tourism Office, described the marathon as an effective international promotional platform. He noted that the thousands of participants and their companions directly contribute to increased hotel occupancy, visits to tourist destinations, culinary activity, and local product sales. "This event has solidified Yogyakarta as a leading sport tourism destination. The event is capable of increasing tourist visits, extending tourist stays, and driving the regional economy," he said.