Deputy Tourism Minister: Strengthening Asian Markets as Strategy to Address Middle East Conflict

Malang, East Java — Deputy Tourism Minister (Wamenpar) Ni Luh Puspa stated that strengthening the tourism market across Asia and Oceania regions represents Indonesia’s strategy to address the outbreak of geopolitical conflict in the Middle East.

Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa, met at Brawijaya University in Malang, East Java after delivering a public lecture on Thursday, said markets in Asian and Oceania countries present opportunities to continue maximising tourism stability for Indonesia.

“The Tourism Minister has directed us to begin shifting market focus by strengthening Asia and Oceania markets, as they are not affected by flight disruptions from the Middle East,” said Ni Luh Puspa.

She explained that Indonesia possesses strong connectivity in terms of flight routes from countries that have historically served as main entry hubs into the country, such as Malaysia with 27 per cent and Singapore with 18 per cent.

“This means we must substitute 11 per cent by pursuing available markets. Looking at 2025, visits to Indonesia remain dominated by Asian countries and Australia. There is also China and India, plus South Korea with quite good growth rates, and Taiwan,” she stated.

Additionally, Ni Luh Puspa conveyed that the Tourism Ministry has prepared a strategy to enhance human resources’ (HR) understanding of digital technology usage as a means of promotion to strengthen Indonesia’s tourism ecosystem.

With this concept, the foundation of the country’s tourism sector will be more qualified and professional in terms of governance.

“Trends may change but service and hospitality remain key for foreign tourists to remember and return,” she concluded.