Tourism Diplomacy in Increasing International Tourist Visits to Indonesia Post-Covid-19 Through Sports Tourism at the International World Surf League KRUI Pro Lampung 2022 – 2023

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, has had a significant impact on many aspects of life, including tourism and the economy in Indonesia. Due to travel restrictions and the closure of tourist spots, the number of international tourists in Indonesia, which is one of the country's main industries and largest sources of foreign exchange, has decreased significantly. This decline has affected the overall economic turnover and foreign exchange earnings of Indonesia. In light of this issue, this research aims to discuss public diplomacy through sports tourism instruments as an effort to promote Indonesian tourism post Covid-19 through the International World Surf League Krui Pro Lampung 2022-2023 competition held in West Pesisir Regency, Lampung, Indonesia. This study seeks to analyze public diplomacy according to Eytan Gilboa. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method with primary and secondary data sources through interviews with the PSOI as the organizing body of Krui Pro Lampung, related documents, previous research, and articles. This study argues that the implementation of the International World Surf League Krui Pro Lampung is an appropriate tourism promotion tool to revive Indonesian tourism, which had declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.