Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said the measures aim to\nstrengthen the competitiveness of Indonesia\u2019s tourism industry as global\nconditions demand more responsive and adaptive policies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese measures are important to maintain the competitiveness of\nIndonesia\u2019s tourism sector amid a global situation that requires\nresponsive and adaptive strategies,\u201d Widiyanti said in a statement\nconfirmed in Jakarta on Monday.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the national webinar \u201cTourism Under Fire,\u201d she said\ngeopolitical developments have begun affecting airline operations,\nincluding adjustments to long-haul flight routes and higher travel costs\ndriven by rising fuel prices.<\/p>\n
Tensions in the Middle East could also affect international travel\nflows to Indonesia, she said.<\/p>\n
The government estimates the direct impact on foreign tourist\narrivals could reach around 4,700 to 5,500 visitors per day.<\/p>\n
If the situation continues, potential foreign exchange losses could\nrange between Rp157.9 billion and Rp184.8 billion per day.<\/p>\n
To address these risks, the government has prepared several\nmitigation measures, including diversifying tourism source markets.<\/p>\n
Promotional campaigns will be strengthened in short- and medium-haul\nmarkets with relatively stable flight connectivity, including Southeast\nAsia, East Asia, Australia and India.<\/p>\n
The ministry will also intensify campaigns to promote Indonesia as a\nsafe, attractive and stable destination for international travelers.<\/p>\n
In addition, authorities will optimize direct flights, including the\nAmsterdam\u2013Jakarta and Amsterdam\u2013Denpasar routes operated by Garuda\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
The move is expected to help attract European tourists, particularly\nahead of the spring and summer holiday seasons.<\/p>\n
Digital promotion based on data analytics will also be expanded to\nreach potential travelers more effectively and increase the impact of\ntourism campaigns.<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia eyes Asia-Oceania tourism to offset Middle\nEast risk<\/p>\n
Tourism-driven economic activity<\/p>\n
Widiyanti said the government will also encourage Indonesians to\ntravel domestically to sustain tourism-driven economic activity.<\/p>\n
The ministry plans to promote tourism events in border regions to\nstimulate local economies and maintain visitor flows in key\ndestinations.<\/p>\n
Tourists from nearby countries, such as Singapore visiting the Riau\nIslands, often make repeat trips, she noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore, this opportunity must be utilized optimally by offering\nvarious experiences such as golf tourism, shopping tourism, wellness\ntourism and other travel packages,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The government is also promoting cross-ministerial cooperation to\nstrengthen tourism competitiveness.<\/p>\n
Relevant ministries include the transportation, immigration and\nfinance ministries.<\/p>\n
Among the policy options being explored are increasing airline seat\ncapacity, improving airfare affordability and introducing visa-free\nentry for selected markets.<\/p>\n
According to Widiyanti, Indonesia\u2019s tourism sector is currently\nexperiencing strong momentum.<\/p>\n
In 2025, the country recorded 15.39 million international tourist\narrivals and generated US$18.27 billion in foreign exchange\nearnings.<\/p>\n
Although visitors from Europe, the Middle East and the Americas\naccounted for only 21.7 percent of total arrivals, they contributed 34.7\npercent of foreign exchange revenue due to their higher spending\nlevels.<\/p>\n
Amid global uncertainties, positive developments have also emerged\nfrom East Asia.<\/p>\n
Several airlines, including China Airlines, Spring Airlines and China\nSouthern Airlines, are reportedly planning to increase flight\nfrequencies and open new routes to Jakarta and Bali starting in May\n2026.<\/p>\n
Separately, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga\nHartarto said Indonesia\u2019s tourism sector performed strongly in 2025.<\/p>\n
The sector contributed Rp945.7 trillion, or 3.97 percent, to the\ncountry\u2019s gross domestic product.<\/p>\n
The performance was supported by 15.39 million international\narrivals, which rose 10.7 percent year on year.<\/p>\n
Tourism activities also generated employment for around 25.91 million\npeople across the country.<\/p>\n
However, Hartarto noted that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East\ncontinue to test the resilience of Indonesia\u2019s tourism sector by\naffecting global connectivity.<\/p>\n
To address these challenges, the government is strengthening the\ndomestic tourism market through micro-tourism initiatives.<\/p>\n
Authorities are also promoting destinations for digital nomads and\npositioning Indonesia as a high-end travel destination offering\nrelatively affordable experiences.<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia monitors Mideast situation to ensure tourism\nsafety<\/p>\n
Translator: Hreeloita Dharma Shanti, Primayanti<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-prepares-tourism-strategy-amid-global-geopolitics-1773679907", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }