Indonesia Pushes Adventure Tourism as Experience Travel Rise

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The trend for experience-based travel has continued to grow in recent years. Seeing this opportunity, the Ministry of Tourism is encouraging development of niche tourism, including adventure travel, leveraging Indonesia’s diverse land, sea and air landscapes.

“Indonesia is one of the few countries able to offer a complete adventure experience across land, sea and air,” said Acting Deputy for Event Organizer Development at the Ministry of Tourism, Hafiz Agung Rifai, at the launch of Explorex 2027 in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

As reported by Antara, in a ministry press release on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 he noted that Indonesia comprises more than 17,000 islands and a variety of landscapes.

Indonesia can provide comprehensive adventure travel experiences with areas that include mountains, tropical forests, rivers, lakes, beaches and biologically rich seas. That potential allows Indonesia to optimize tourism service development, which is increasingly shifting toward experience-based and niche travel such as adventure, wellness and sports tourism.

Hafiz said experience-based tourism services are among the fastest-growing segments, according to studies by international bodies such as UN Tourism and the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA). For that reason, the Ministry of Tourism is working to promote development of experience-based tourism services, including by supporting outdoor events.

During 2026 the ministry backed more than 30 outdoor activities, including trail running, horse racing, motorsports, cycling races, open-water swimming and fishing competitions. Exhibitions like Explorex align with government efforts to boost experience-based tourism services, including adventure travel.

Public interest in outdoor activities and experience-based travel has risen sharply in recent years. According to Managing Director of PT Industri Pameran Nusantara, Ryan Adrian, this positive trend creates a major momentum for the growth of adventure-tourism businesses.

President Director of PT Debindomulti Adhiswati Vibiadhi, Swasti Pradana, said Explorex provides a platform for service providers involved in land, water and air exploration. The exhibition also creates collaboration space for government, businesses and communities to promote, innovate and sustainably grow the adventure-tourism sector.

Skygears Indonesia founder, Harry Suliztiarto, stressed that developing adventure tourism must go hand in hand with improved safety. He said efforts should include educational programs and intensive training for field personnel.

“Let us establish an education and training system. Indonesia has many competent human resources. That is our dream to build a more advanced Indonesian outdoor industry,” said Harry. ***