The Special Presidential Envoy for Tourism, Zita Anjani, was present at the closing ceremony of the 2025 international cycling race, Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen, in Banyuwangi, East Java. She praised Banyuwangi as one of Indonesia’s most successful tourism stories. “This race isn’t just a national event; it’s on an international level. Nearly 20 teams from various countries participated, and I believe they’ve been returning for about ten editions now,” Zita remarked after the event on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Zita highlighted that participants from around the world regard Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen as one of the finest races they’ve experienced. “Almost all international riders agree that Banyuwangi Ijen stands out among the events they’ve joined — they consider it one of the best,” she added.
She emphasized Banyuwangi as a shining example of sustainable tourism development. The region’s success, according to Zita, isn’t limited to attracting visitors but extends to building resilient local economies. “Banyuwangi is a truly successful story in Indonesian tourism — not just because of its attractions, but because of its focus on sustainability, economic resilience, and support for local businesses. The latest data shows poverty has halved, dropping from 12% to just 6%,” she explained.
Zita also praised Banyuwangi’s environmental preservation and empowerment of small businesses. She pointed out that Banyuwangi’s airport has earned a reputation for being eco-friendly, operating without air conditioning, and that the region maintains pristine rice fields and forests with minimal waste, corruption, and commercial clutter like malls. “Banyuwangi offers a comprehensive tourism model — an airport without AC, yet one of the best; lush rice paddies and forests preserved; no litter, no corruption; small businesses thriving — it’s an ideal example,” she said.
When asked about the central government’s strategies to promote sports tourism in other regions, Zita emphasized that sports-related travel continues to be a priority, given its dedicated market. “Sports tourism attracts significant interest, though often niche — cycling, trail running, diving, jet skiing. The numbers might be small, but they’re steady. Indonesia has all the necessary facilities: Rinjani, Lake Toba, the Blue Fire at Ijen — one of only two places in the world where it appears — and only in Ijen can the public witness this extraordinary phenomenon,” she concluded.
