SEA GAMES 2011: INTERNATIONAL SPORT EVENT AS SOFT POWER INSTRUMENT IN ACHIEVING INDONESIA'S NATIONAL INTEREST IN TOURISM SECTOR (2010-2012)

Abstract

Tourist is a good asset for economy of societies where it considered able to support the increasing economy nationally. Many tourist destination that have a very good potential but received less attention from the government. To increase the number of tourism in Indonesia, the government use some ways in achieving its goals. Soft power is considered as the most effective way in achieving the national interest of a country. SEA Games is an international sporting event involving Southeast Asian countries in order to strengthen relations between countries. Indonesia utilizing SEA Games 2011 as soft power instrument to achieve its national interest in this case is the tourism sector. Public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy are considered effective as a means of increasing the number of tourism and forming a good image of Indonesia as a safe country to be visited by foreign tourists. This study describes and analyzes the international sport event or South East Asian Games 2011 which is effectively used as a soft power instrument to improve the tourism sector, forming a good image of Indonesia as a safe country to visit by foreign tourists and help to improve the economic growth of Indonesia through the data obtained from books, Internet sites and major sources. Sport mega event is often used as a tool to achieve the interests of a country. Since Indonesia chosen as the host country of SEA Games 2011 until the completion of this event, many impacts are given to the host country especially Palembang and Jakarta which helps the growth of the regional economy and increase the amount of tourism.