Four UNESCO Global Geoparks will host a national running series from August 2026 to April 2027, targeting 10,000 participants and promoting sustainable sports tourism.
The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism officially launched the Geopark Run Series 2026–2027 on 22 May 2026 at a press conference in Jakarta. The initiative aims to boost sports tourism, raise the global profile of Indonesia’s UNESCO Global Geoparks, and stimulate local economies across four regions: Ijen, Minang, Ciletuh and Belitong.
The Indonesian Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana announced that the running series would integrate athletic events with geopark promotion and community empowerment. According to Minister Widiyanti, the programme reflects a sustainable and inclusive approach to tourism development. She stated that sports tourism has become a key pillar of the government’s high-quality tourism strategy. Citing UN Tourism data, the Minister noted that sports tourism contributed approximately 10% of global tourism spending in 2023, with the sector projected to grow by 17.5% between 2023 and 2030. She also referenced an Expedia survey, which found that 44% of travellers are willing to travel abroad for sporting events, with average spending reaching US$1,500 per visit.
The series opens with the Ijen Geopark Run on 23 August 2026 in Banyuwangi, East Java. The Minangkabau Geopark Run follows on 25 October 2026 around the Jam Gadang clock tower in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra. The Ciletuh Geopark Run is scheduled for 17 January 2027 at Palangpang Beach, Sukabumi, West Java. The Belitong Geopark Run concludes the series on 18 April 2027 at Tanjung Kelayang Beach, Belitung.
The organising committee chairman, Ihsan Ramadhi Putra, said the event is more than a sporting competition. He described it as a collective movement to attract visitors and activate local economies. The series targets at least 10,000 participants across all four locations. According to the Ministry, the geoparks were selected to elevate their international recognition while supporting their ongoing status as UNESCO Global Geoparks.
Sources: ANTARA News
