Denpasar Expands Sport Tourism as Bali Arrivals Reach 4.6 Million
- 16 Sep 2026 11:10 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Poin Utama
- Denpasar is expanding sport tourism to attract visitors while supporting local MSMEs and the creative economy.
- Bali recorded around 4.6 million international tourist arrivals through August 2026, according to the Bali Tourism Office.
RRI.CO.ID, Denpasar - The Denpasar City Administration in Bali is expanding its sport tourism portfolio to strengthen urban travel appeal and stimulate micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the municipal economy.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Denpasar Deputy Mayor I Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa said that future sporting events will shift from purely athletic competitions to sustainable, culture-conscious tourism assets. The initiative aims to integrate domestic and international sports participants into the broader municipal hospitality ecosystem, expanding destination marketing and supporting local creative industries while preserving community comfort and environmental integrity.
The policy push coincides with strong regional performance across the island. According to the Bali Provincial Tourism Agency, international tourist visits to Bali reached approximately 4.6 million arrivals through August 2026, maintaining steady year-on-year growth compared to 2025. Provincial authorities emphasized that developing niche segments like sport tourism remains essential to enhancing overall travel quality and destination sustainability.
"Going forward, we will continue our efforts to present and develop sporting events that are not only performance-oriented, but also capable of serving as tourism attractions, we do not want sport tourism to merely be a fleeting event. The hope is that athletic activities can become part of a sustainable tourism ecosystem that opens wider space for promoting destinations, MSMEs, and the creative economy," Arya Wibawa said during the 11th Bali Tourism Award in Sanur, Denpasar on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
Addressing his leadership award, Arya Wibawa framed the recognition as a collective achievement. "This award is an appreciation of the joint efforts of the entire Denpasar City Administration, the public, sports communities, and tourism stakeholders," Arya Wibawa added.
Bali Provincial Tourism Agency Head I Wayan Sumarajaya highlighted the island's overall arrival metrics and called for high hospitality standards. As of August 2026, the number of tourist visits to Bali reached 4.6 million, remaining stable and showing growth compared to 2025.
" Our collective task is how to deliver quality tourism while ensuring direct benefits for the community. Hospitality is not just about accommodation facilities, but how tourists feel comfortable and gain quality experiences while preserving local customs, culture, and traditions," Sumarajaya said. ***
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