Indonesia Prepares Tourism Strategy Amid Global Geopolitical Challenges

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, has outlined a series of strategic measures to sustain the growth momentum of the country’s tourism sector amid global geopolitical dynamics that could affect international travel connectivity and mobility.

Speaking at the national webinar “Tourism Under Fire” organized by the NHI Bandung Alumni Association on Monday, March 16, 2026, the minister explained that global geopolitical tensions are beginning to impact airline operations, including long-haul route adjustments and rising travel costs due to increasing fuel prices.

The Middle East, which has long served as a key transit hub for travelers from Europe and the Americas to Indonesia, is among the regions affected. Ongoing developments in the area could disrupt international travel flows to Indonesia.

The government estimates that the direct impact on international tourist arrivals could reach around 4,700 to 5,500 visitors per day. If the situation persists, potential foreign exchange losses are projected at approximately Rp157.9 billion to Rp184.8 billion (around USD 10–12 million) per day.

“Indonesia’s tourism sector is actually in a very strong position. In 2025, we recorded 15.39 million international tourist arrivals, generating USD 18.27 billion in foreign exchange. While Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas contributed only 21.7% of total arrivals, they accounted for 34.7% of revenue due to higher spending levels,” the minister stated.

To mitigate potential impacts, the Ministry of Tourism has prepared five key strategies.

The first strategy focuses on market diversification, strengthening promotion in short- and medium-haul markets with relatively stable flight connectivity, such as Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia, and India. Upcoming campaigns will position Indonesia as an attractive, safe, and stable alternative destination.

The second strategy is to optimize direct flights, including routes such as Amsterdam–Jakarta and Amsterdam–Denpasar operated by Garuda Indonesia, aiming to maintain European tourist flows, especially ahead of the spring and summer holiday seasons.

The third strategy emphasizes data-driven digital promotion to better target potential travelers and improve the effectiveness of tourism campaigns across key markets.

The fourth strategy is to boost domestic tourism, encouraging Indonesians to travel within the country—particularly relevant ahead of the Eid holiday season, when mobility traditionally increases.

The fifth strategy involves hosting tourism events in border regions to sustain local tourism economies. Visitors from neighboring countries such as Singapore, especially to the Riau Islands, tend to make repeat visits.

“This opportunity should be maximized by offering curated experiences such as golf tourism, shopping, wellness, and other unique travel packages,” the minister added.

The minister also highlighted the importance of cross-ministerial collaboration, involving the Ministries of Transportation, Immigration, and Finance, to explore policies that can enhance Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness.

Key initiatives under consideration include increasing airline seat capacity, improving ticket affordability, and expanding visa-free entry for targeted markets.

“These measures are essential to strengthen Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness in a global landscape that demands responsive and adaptive strategies,” she said.

Amid these challenges, the minister also noted positive developments from East Asia. Airlines such as China Airlines, Spring Airlines, and China Southern are reportedly set to increase flight frequencies and open new routes to Jakarta and Bali starting May 2026.

“With the right strategies and strong collaboration, I am confident that Indonesia’s tourism sector will continue to grow sustainably, inclusively, and become even more competitive globally,” the minister concluded.