Indonesia Shifts Tourist Markets Strategy Amid Middle East Tensions

RRI.CO.ID, Nusa Dua - The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is diversifying its foreign tourist market to stabilize arrivals and mitigate the impact of global air travel disruptions and geopolitical tensions.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa said the ministry is intensifying promotions in short‑ and medium‑haul markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and Oceania, including Australia.

“That is what we are targeting more now,” she said during the ministry’s Dharma Santi Nyepi event at the Bali Tourism Polytechnic in Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali, on Friday, April 17, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

She explained that the strategy is more adaptable to current global uncertainties. Tourism industry players are also boosting appeal through creative tour packages, bundled pricing, and digital campaigns aimed at younger travelers, especially Generation Z.

The ministry hopes this market diversification will sustain growth in foreign tourist arrivals. Recent conflicts in the Middle East have disrupted flight routes, including airspace closures and global energy distribution, which in turn raised travel costs due to higher oil prices.

Long‑haul routes from the United States and Europe typically transit through Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, making them vulnerable to such disruptions.

Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) shows that international tourist arrivals in 2025 reached 15.39 million, a 10.80 percent increase from the previous year. Of this total, 6.95 million tourists visited Bali.

Australia contributed the largest number of visitors to Bali with 1.62 million arrivals, followed by India, China, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan. ***