Thanks to the Extraordinary Enthusiasm of the Community, PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra Becomes an Opportunity to Boost the Economy
By: Bagus Pratama*)
The 21st National Sports Week (PON) in Aceh-North Sumatra is not only a place to showcase the achievements of athletes from all over Indonesia, but has also created great opportunities for economic growth in the host region.
The enthusiasm of the people of Aceh and North Sumatra in welcoming this event has had a real impact on various sectors, especially tourism and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The country’s largest multi-sport event has become a significant driver of local economic activity, creating significant opportunities for local communities to directly benefit from hosting this national event.
Local communities, as expressed by Destika Gilang, a resident of Banda Aceh, felt the positive impact of PON XXI directly. This event opened up opportunities for MSMEs to promote their local products, including traditional foods, handicrafts, and other cultural products.
The large number of guests coming from various regions, both as athletes, officials, and spectators, provides a big boost to the creative economy sector. Hotels, restaurants, and various tourist attractions in Aceh and North Sumatra are also filled with visitors, which in turn increases the income of local people. For MSMEs, this is a moment to expand the market and introduce their products to a wider audience.
Not only the economic sector, PON XXI also has a positive impact on tourism. Destika, who has high hopes for the economic impact of PON, sees an opportunity to promote Acehnese culture to guests coming from outside the region.
Tourist destinations such as the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque and Lampuuk Beach are magnets for visitors coming to Banda Aceh. That way, local people can introduce the beauty and richness of Aceh’s culture, while increasing revenue from the tourism sector. Tourism business actors, from tour guides to souvenir craftsmen, feel a surge in demand during this event.
In addition, the enthusiasm of the community is also reflected in their involvement in supporting the success of the implementation of PON XXI Aceh-Sumut. A resident from Pematangsiantar, Torus, who directly followed the series of events in North Sumatra, expressed his appreciation to all parties involved in ensuring that the event remained conducive and orderly.
The organizing committee, working together with the security forces, succeeded in creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere for participants and visitors. Stability and order during the event provided a sense of security for tourists and business people to continue their activities, and ensured that the wheels of the economy continued to turn.
Furthermore, PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra not only presents sports competitions, but also becomes a cultural event that introduces the richness of local traditions to visitors from various regions.
One of the residents from Jakarta who works in Banda Aceh, Deny Boy, assessed that this event combines elements of sport and culture, creating a unique experience for the guests.
In addition to watching sports competitions, visitors are also treated to Acehnese art and cultural performances, such as the Saman and Rapai dances, which are able to captivate the hearts of tourists. Through this cultural event, Aceh has the opportunity to introduce its cultural heritage not only to all of Indonesia, but also to the international world.
Deny also assessed that PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra provides a great opportunity for MSMEs and the tourism sector to develop. Business actors in Banda Aceh, Medan, and other areas that host various sports branches, feel a significant increase in their daily transactions.
This event has a significant direct economic impact, especially in the tourism, culinary, and hospitality sectors. In addition, the excitement of this event also encourages the community to be more active in participating in local economic activities, either through participation as craftsmen, service providers, or business actors in other creative sectors.
The implementation of PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra has provided a strong economic stimulus, especially for micro and small business actors. MSMEs, which are the backbone of the local economy, get more space to promote their products to a larger market.
This national multi-sport event also strengthens connectivity between the host region and other regions in Indonesia, which ultimately increases the volume of trade and transactions between regions.
In this context, PON XXI not only drives the local economy during the event, but also creates long-term opportunities for economic development in Aceh and North Sumatra.
Strong support from various parties, including local governments, organizing committees, and local communities, is a key factor in creating a conducive atmosphere to support the success of PON XXI.
This collaboration shows how the people of Aceh and North Sumatra unite in a spirit of togetherness to make the biggest national sporting event in Indonesia a success.
The public’s enthusiasm is not only evident in their support on the playing field, but also in their participation in economic sectors related to the organization of PON.
The success of PON XXI Aceh-Sumut in improving the local economy is a real example of how a sporting event can have a broad impact on society. From the creative economy to tourism, PON 2024 brings a breath of fresh air to business actors and the community involved.
The high enthusiasm from the community, coupled with full support from various parties, has made PON XXI more than just a sports competition. This event is an important momentum for economic development, cultural promotion, and strengthening togetherness among the people of Aceh and North Sumatra.
With the implementation of PON XXI, the positive impacts felt by the people of Aceh and North Sumatra are expected to continue. Local business actors directly benefit from this event, while the tourism and creative economy sectors have experienced significant increases.
PON XXI Aceh-Sumut has proven that sports are not only able to unite the nation, but can also be a catalyst for sustainable economic growth. This national multi-sport event opens up great opportunities for local communities to advance their economy through creativity, innovation, and a spirit of togetherness.
*) Macroeconomic Analyst – Nusantara Economic Research Institute
