Indonesia MotoGP boosts world-class sports tourism: Minister

Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir stated that the 2026 Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia MotoGP in Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), can strengthen world-class sports tourism.

"The Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, or Indonesia MotoGP, is not merely a sporting event but also a momentum to strengthen Indonesia's nation branding and reinforce the position of Mandalika, Lombok, and NTB as world-class sports tourism destinations," Thohir said in his official statement here on Friday.

He reaffirmed the government's full support for the Indonesia MotoGP series, which will be held for the fifth time this year.

According to him, in previous editions, the motorcycle racing event held at the Mandalika International Circuit became a sports tourism event that generated extraordinary multiplier effects for Indonesia, particularly in the economic sector.

The minister explained that the 2025 Indonesia MotoGP demonstrated Indonesia's capacity to host world-class events professionally and sustainably.

His ministry recorded a total attendance of 140,324 spectators at the time, with the national economic impact reaching Rp4.96 trillion.

Meanwhile, the economic turnover generated in West Nusa Tenggara as the host region reached between Rp2 trillion and Rp4 trillion, with follow-on impacts up to twice that amount, involving more than 600 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and around three thousand local workers.

According to him, MotoGP has also become a means of expanding the motorsports ecosystem, including serving as a reference for clubs, racing schools, and motorsports communities.

"Moreover, Indonesia already has local riders who have achieved success at the world level, such as Mario Aji and Veda Ega Pratama," he remarked.

He expressed hope that the 2026 MotoGP, scheduled for October, would have an even greater impact on Indonesia, especially with local riders boasting world-class achievements set to compete on the track.

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