Govt Eyes GBK Upgrade to Attract Premium Tourists

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Investment Management Agency (Danantara) is preparing to revitalize the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) area in Jakarta to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a sports tourism destination and increase foreign tourist spending.

Danantara Head Rosan Roeslani said the GBK development is part of efforts to improve Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness, which still lags behind several Southeast Asian countries.

He noted that the challenge for Indonesia’s tourism sector is not only to increase tourist arrivals but also to raise their spending. “Our tourists’ average spending is still around USD 1,100. How to increase that figure is also a concern,” Rosan said at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Monday, June 22, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Gelora Bung Karno is a 279‑hectare integrated sports and entertainment complex in central Jakarta, built to host the 1962 Asian Games and now a national landmark.

It hosts major international sporting events, world‑class concerts, and serves as a public recreational hub. With this concept, the government hopes to attract more tourists, including the premium segment with higher economic value.

Rosan emphasized that GBK’s primary role as a national sports icon will remain intact, but its facilities and supporting areas will be upgraded to meet international standards. “The GBK will remain, but we will improve and perfect everything to meet international or world‑class standards,” he said.

The GBK project is among those managed by Danantara, a government‑owned investment agency tasked with optimizing state assets and encouraging investment in strategic sectors to support economic growth.

According to Rosan, President Prabowo Subianto has directed that tourism development focus not only on destinations but also on supporting ecosystems. Transportation, accessibility, logistics, cleanliness, and comfort are integral parts of the revitalization plan.

“Tourism cannot stand alone. Logistics, comfort, transportation, accessibility, and cleanliness must be considered holistically,” he said.

The government hopes the GBK revitalization will boost tourism growth and increase the economic contribution of each tourist visit. However, Danantara has not yet disclosed the investment value or implementation schedule, as the project remains in the concept and design stages. ***