Tourism Ministry's Strategy to Navigate Global Geopolitical Dynamics
Jakarta — Indonesia’s Tourism Ministry is preparing several strategies to navigate global geopolitical dynamics while maintaining positive growth in national tourism.
“These measures are important to enhance Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness amid a global situation requiring responsive and adaptive strategies,” Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said in an official statement confirmed in Jakarta on Monday.
Speaking at the National Webinar “Tourism Under Fire”, Widiyanti stated that the evolving global geopolitical situation is beginning to impact airline operations, including adjustments to long-haul flight routes and rising travel costs due to fuel price increases.
The developing geopolitical conditions in the Middle East region have the potential to affect international travel flows to Indonesia. The government estimates that potential direct impact on foreign tourist visits could reach approximately 4,700 to 5,500 people per day.
If conditions persist, potential foreign exchange losses are estimated to range between Rp157.9 billion and Rp184.8 billion daily.
Several mitigation strategies have been prepared, including diversifying foreign tourist markets by strengthening promotion in short and medium-haul markets with relatively stable flight connectivity, such as Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia, and India, as well as increased promotional campaigns showcasing Indonesia as an attractive, safe, and stable alternative destination.
The Tourism Ministry will also optimise direct flights, including the Amsterdam–Jakarta and Amsterdam–Denpasar routes operated by Garuda Indonesia. This step is expected to continue attracting tourists from the European market, particularly ahead of spring and summer holiday seasons.
Additionally, data-driven digital promotion is being strengthened to reach prospective tourists more precisely, whilst increasing the effectiveness of Indonesia’s tourism campaigns in various potential markets, and encouraging Indonesians to travel domestically.
The ministry will also promote various tourism events in border regions to maintain tourism economy dynamics across various areas. Tourists from neighbouring countries such as Singapore visiting the Riau Islands region, for example, tend to make repeat visits.
“Therefore, this opportunity needs to be optimised, including by offering golf tourism packages, shopping tourism, wellness, and various other tourism experiences,” she said.
Cross-ministerial and inter-agency collaboration is being conducted with the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Immigration, and Ministry of Finance to explore various policies that can strengthen Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness.
Several options being promoted include increasing airline seat capacity, improving ticket price affordability, and implementing visa-free policies for potential markets.
The United States contributes only 21.7 percent of total visits, but its foreign exchange contribution reaches 34.7 percent as they are high-spending tourists.
Amid these various challenges, the ministry reported positive developments from the East Asian market. Several airlines such as China Airlines, Spring Airlines, and China Southern have reportedly planned to increase flight frequencies and open new routes to Jakarta and Bali beginning May 2026.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that Indonesia’s tourism sector recorded impressive performance throughout 2025, with its contribution to Gross Domestic Product reaching Rp945.7 trillion or 3.97 percent.
This success was driven by 15.39 million foreign tourist visits growing 10.7 percent year-on-year, whilst employing 25.91 million workers.
However, amid these positive achievements, he noted that the tourism sector’s resilience is being tested by geopolitical challenges in the Middle East disrupting global connectivity.
Several strategies being prepared include strengthening domestic markets through micro tourism, promoting Indonesia as a destination for digital nomads, and marketing Indonesia as a high-end destination with affordable prices.