RRI.CO.ID, Makassar - The number of international tourist arrivals to South Sulawesi for the period of January to March 2026 reached 5,269 visits. The influx was primarily dominated by travelers from Malaysia and China, signaling a significant recovery for the province's tourism sector.

Head of Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) South Sulawesi, Aryanto, noted that while visitors arrived from various continents, the majority originated from Southeast Asia. "The dominant visits remain from the Asian continent, such as Malaysia, China, and Singapore. Then from Europe, there are many from France, the Netherlands, Germany, and others," Aryanto explained in Makassar on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Data from the Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport arrival gate showed a steady month-over-month increase during the first quarter. In February 2026, the airport recorded 1,410 arrivals, and this figure grew significantly to 2,344 arrivals in March 2026.

Specific figures for March 2026 highlighted Malaysia as the top contributor with 1,344 visits, followed by China (227), Singapore (34), and Japan (17). European arrivals also showed diversity, with visitors hailing from Germany (48), France (34), Switzerland (20), and several other nations including the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, and Spain.

Compared to the same period in 2025, which saw only 1,300 visits, the number of international tourists entering South Sulawesi has surged by 80.31 percent. This robust growth reflects the success of regional cultural and entertainment events, which have become a major draw for global travelers.

In contrast to the rising international figures, domestic tourism through Sultan Hasanuddin Airport saw a temporary slowdown. In February 2026, there were 9,804 domestic trips, representing a 20.91 percent decrease from the 12,396 trips recorded in January.

Aryanto suggested that this dip could be attributed to seasonal patterns, economic conditions, or differing national holiday schedules between the two months. Despite this, he noted that domestic mobility remains high enough to keep the tourism sector stable.

"The administration and tourism stakeholders are expected to continue encouraging various strategies to keep the tourist visit trend positive in the following months," he added. ***