TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno asked representatives of the sports community to expand destinations of sports tourism during a hybrid meeting today, January 5, 2021.

“I have received a commitment from the golf (community) that three regions are nominated to host sports events, namely Bali, Jakarta, and the other one,” Sandiaga said.

He argued that golf tourism destinations should be expanded to other provinces, such as Yogyakarta and Riau Islands. Likewise with the regions that would hold triathlon events.

Sandiaga suggested that the triathlon competition be carried out in five super-priority destinations, namely Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, Borobudur in Central Java, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, and Likupang in North Sulawesi.

“As for the marathon event that is planned to be held in one region, I ask it to be held also in five super-priority destinations. This is the challenge I present,” said the former Jakarta deputy governor.

Sandiaga was keen to expedite the implementation of the tourism agenda in the next three months. The planned agenda would be carried out on different scales.

“We, along with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, will facilitate it. We support [sports tourism] during the pandemic, but the implementation must be under the health protocols so that people’s economy will run again,” Sandiaga Uno said.

Read: Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno Talks of Travel Bubble Plans

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA