Ministry Backs A-STREAM 2026 to Bolster Indonesia’s Sport Tourism

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, has officially pledged the Ministry's support for the A-STREAM Open Water Swimming Series and the 12th Asian Open Water Swimming Championships 2026.

The announcement followed a meeting with the Indonesian Aquatic Board (PB Akuatik Indonesia) at the Sapta Pesona Building in Jakarta on Friday, March 13, 2026. The Minister highlighted the event as a strategic collaboration to promote Indonesia's diverse travel destinations through high-profile international sporting events.

While Bali remains a premier host, Minister Widiyanti emphasized that the partnership aims to shine a spotlight on various other locations across the archipelago.

“In principle, we strongly support and are pleased to collaborate in promoting Indonesian destinations, not just Bali, but also various other destinations throughout the country,” the Minister said, as quoted by the ministry's official website.

She expressed hope that the annual series would attract at least 750 international participants, further cementing Indonesia's status as a top-tier destination for sport tourism in the region. The A-STREAM Open Water Swimming Series is scheduled to take place on April 11–12, 2026, followed by the 12th Asian Open Water Swimming Championships in Bali from June 13–15, 2026.

Executive Chairman of PB Akuatik Indonesia, Harlin Rahardjo explained that A-STREAM is designed to be more than just a race, it is envisioned as a new identity and intellectual property for Indonesian sport tourism. The goal is to build an ecosystem that links athletic competition with hospitality, local culinary arts, and regional cultural heritage.

“Together with the Ministry of Tourism, we want to build Indonesian sport tourism not just as a sporting event, but as intellectual property connected to the hospitality sector, culinary arts, and various regional cultural potentials,” Harlin noted.

By turning sporting events into sustainable tourism assets, organizers anticipate a ripple effect on the local economy. The influx of international athletes and spectators is expected to benefit Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and drive infrastructure development in the host regions.

Ultimately, this collaboration seeks to use open water swimming as a primary engine for tourism growth, showcasing the unique characteristics of each destination while providing tangible benefits to local business owners and communities. ***