Ministry of Tourism Boosts International Tourism Promotion Amid Rupiah Weakness
The Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) is intensifying international tourism promotion amid the rupiah’s depreciation against the US dollar, viewing it as an opportunity to boost foreign visitor numbers.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa stated that the ministry is leveraging this momentum through marketing campaigns, sales missions, and participation in international tourism expos. Speaking at the Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2026 at the Bali International Convention Centre (BICC) in Nusa Dua on Saturday (30 May 2026), she said, “We are continuously pushing to attract more tourists through these efforts, including sales missions and expos we’re attending, which we hope will increase visitor numbers to Indonesia.”
According to Bank Indonesia data, tourism foreign exchange earnings have shown significant growth, encouraging the government to strengthen Indonesia’s international tourism promotion. Puspa added, “This situation presents an opportunity for Indonesia to become more attractive to visitors.”
Amid global geopolitical instability, Kemenpar is adjusting marketing strategies by focusing on short-haul and medium-haul markets to compensate for declines in long-haul markets like Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. She explained, “We are now strengthening short and medium-haul markets to substitute for European, American, and Middle Eastern markets that have declined due to geopolitical conditions.”
Data from the first quarter of 2026 shows increased tourist arrivals from short and medium-haul markets, while some Middle Eastern markets declined. Overall, foreign tourist visits remain positive compared to the previous year. “From January to March 2026, we saw an increase in visitor numbers compared to last year, and we hope this trend continues in the second quarter,” Puspa said.
Despite global challenges, Kemenpar remains optimistic about the national tourism sector’s performance, stating, “We are committed to collaborating to ensure Indonesia’s markets and tourism are not abandoned.”