Tourism Minister Outlines New Direction for Indonesian Tourism

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta: Indonesia is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable and community-based tourism. This was conveyed by Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana at a forum titled "Leaders' Meeting: Beyond Destinations - Reimagining Indonesia's Tourism Future" in Jakarta on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The Tourism Minister highlighted Indonesia's strengths: its natural and cultural foundations as an archipelagic nation. The country has more than 17,000 islands, rich biodiversity, and over 6,100 tourist villages with local traditions and wisdom. Five of these villages have been recognized as the world's best by UN Tourism. Indonesia also has 12 UNESCO Global Geoparks, 10 World Heritage Sites, and 16 UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage sites.

"This confirms that Indonesian tourism is not just about a single destination, but rather an ecosystem that spans various layers of geography, culture, nature, and society," the Minister said, according to the ministry's official website.

The Minister announced the government's current focus: sustainable tourism and empowering local communities in 13 key destinations. This includes 10 Priority Tourism Destinations and 3 Regenerative Destinations.

"Our vision is to attract tourists and encourage inclusive economic growth and equitable opportunities for all," she said.

The tourism sector recorded a solid performance throughout 2025. From January to November of that year, foreign tourist visits reached 13.98 million, and the sector is projecting 15.34 million visits by the end of December, which exceeds the target of 15 million.

The average spending per international tourist visit increased to USD 1,259 during the first three quarters of 2025, surpassing the target of USD 1,220. Consequently, tourism foreign exchange receipts were recorded at USD 13.82 billion, projected to reach USD 18.53 billion by year's end.

The tourism sector is also a driving force for job creation, employing 25.91 million people as of August 2025. The goal is to increase employment to 26.53 million by 2026.

The Minister of Tourism explained Indonesia's ASEAN position. Indonesia ranked fifth in visits from January–November 2025. Neighboring countries' high brand awareness and Indonesia's strict visa policies pose challenges.

However, Indonesia ranks second highest in the region in terms of growth. Minister Widiyanti emphasized the importance of using fair data when comparing countries' performance.

"When comparing with Malaysia, for instance, we must exclude excursionist data, i.e., travelers who briefly pass through for daily necessities. Indonesia's growth is very competitive by comparison," she said.

The Ministry of Tourism's 2026 strategy includes five flagship programs: strengthening security, improving tourist villages, developing thematic packages, strengthening events, and accelerating Tourism 5.0 through technology

The tourism product spectrum is expanding to include arts, design, and textile activities, in addition to gastronomy, wellness, and marine tourism, aiming to attract high-end travelers seeking authenticity and quality.

Despite the positive growth, Tourism Minister Widiyanti emphasized that several challenges remain for sustainable tourism growth. Air and sea access are crucial, and the government is reviewing regulations, providing incentives, and expanding the aircraft fleet to address this and other fundamental challenges.

The next challenge is visa policy. The government is striving to balance direct revenue from visa fees with the long-term economic benefits of a visa-free policy to maintain Indonesia's competitiveness in the ASEAN region.

Environmental and security concerns are also key. Waste management at tourist destinations is a top priority to maintain the national tourism image. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for natural and marine tourism are being tightened to ensure tourist safety and ecosystem sustainability.

Visitor management is crucial to prevent overcrowding that could degrade the environment and diminish the tourist experience. The government is also prioritizing certified tourism workers through sustainable HR training.

"We are currently implementing an annual upskilling program to improve the capacity of tourism human resources," said Tourism Minister Widiyanti.

With cross-sector collaboration, Indonesian tourism will develop as resilient and sustainable sector, providing equitable economic and social benefits.

"Tourism must be a shared force that brings prosperity and national pride," she concluded. ***

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