RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is actively targeting the Macau market while strengthening the "Wonderful Indonesia" brand in East Asia through the Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) 2026. This participation marks a strategic shift in Indonesia's promotional strategy, moving toward a model focused on quality and sustainability.

"This participation aims to strengthen awareness of Indonesian tourism, which is now transforming toward sustainable tourism," said Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, in an official statement on Monday, April 13, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The Indonesian presence at MITE is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Tourism, the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Hong Kong and Macau, and Garuda Indonesia. The Wonderful Indonesia Pavilion, located at The Venetian Macao from April 10–12, 2026, highlighted Indonesia’s Priority Tourism Destinations (DPP) and Regenerative Tourism Destinations (DPR).

The event facilitated various engagement formats to maximize its impact, including business interactions where the pavilion utilized a Pre-scheduled Appointment (PSA) system for B2B meetings and hosted B2C activities to drive direct tour package sales. Promotional efforts were strategically directed toward targeted destinations such as Jakarta, Bali, Bintan, Yogyakarta–Borobudur, East Java, and Labuan Bajo.

To appeal to a wider range of travelers, the pavilion introduced specialized interests that highlighted niche tourism sectors. These included curated experiences in gastronomy, wellness, and marine adventures, as well as deep cultural immersion focused on Indonesia's traditional textiles, known as wastra.

Throughout the three-day exhibition, the pavilion recorded 109 inquiries from potential buyers, signaling strong interest in Indonesia’s diversified travel offerings.

Made emphasized that connectivity remains the primary driver for accelerating visits from the East Asian market. Currently, access is supported by national and international carriers through Hong Kong, with Garuda Indonesia serving as a key strategic partner for the Greater China region.

"The Ministry of Tourism is committed to strengthening collaboration with national airlines to increase frequencies and expand direct flight networks in the future," she added.

Data from the Ministry shows a promising upward trend in Macau's market. After recording 1,573 visits in 2024, the number grew by 54.48 percent to 2,430 visits in 2025. By showcasing "regenerative" travel, tourism that leaves a destination better than it was found, Indonesia invites Macau's international community to #GoBeyondOrdinary.

The Ministry of Tourism is utilizing MITE 2026 to position Indonesia as a leader in sustainable and regenerative tourism. By moving beyond traditional sightseeing, the initiative aims to attract high-value travelers interested in cultural immersion and ecological responsibility.

Furthermore, the significant increase in visitor numbers from Macau between 2024 and 2025 highlights the growing potential of this market. Through strategic airline partnerships and targeted B2B networking, Indonesia is building the necessary infrastructure to turn this initial interest into long-term tourism growth. ***