Indonesia Promotes World-Class Marine Tourism Potential

RRI.CO.ID, Monaco - Indonesia's Tourism Minister, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, said Indonesia’s position as the world’s largest archipelagic country, combined with its rich geography and marine biodiversity, provides a strong foundation for developing world-class marine tourism. She made the statement at the 6th Monaco Smart and Sustainable Marina Rendezvous in Monaco, held on Sunday and Monday, September 20–21, 2026.

“Indonesia has nearly 100,000 kilometers of coastline, tropical waters, and 700 diving sites, providing a strong foundation for the development of yachting, sailing, and year-round island-hopping,” the Tourism Minister said, as quoted in an official statement on Tuesday, September 23, 2026.

According to the Minister, Indonesia offers numerous destinations with diverse sailing experiences. In the western part of the country are the Riau Islands, Belitung, Ujung Kulon, and the Thousand Islands. The potential continues through Bali, Lombok–Gili Tramena, and Labuan Bajo.

In eastern Indonesia, the country’s marine biodiversity is particularly prominent as the region lies within the Coral Triangle. Key destinations include Wakatobi, Ambon and the Banda Islands, Morotai and other parts of Maluku, as well as Raja Ampat.

Indonesia’s natural assets are also supported by its large tourism market. In 2025, international tourist arrivals reached 15.4 million, with an average annual growth rate of 14.8 percent between 2023 and 2025.

According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), more than half of international tourists, or 52.6 percent, engaged in marine tourism activities during their stay in Indonesia in 2025. The figure highlights significant opportunities to develop tourism products and services based on marine resources.

Indonesia’s yacht market is also projected to continue expanding, from USD261.9 million in 2025 to USD449.1 million by 2033. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 7 percent.

“The market continues to grow. Indonesia recorded 127 superyacht arrivals in 2025–2026, the second-highest number in the Asia-Pacific region after Australia,” the Tourism Minister said. Widiyanti said marine tourism development is aimed at positioning Indonesia as a leading marine tourism destination, particularly for yacht tourism, supported by world-class facilities and an increasingly competitive tourism ecosystem.

The development of international-standard marinas in strategic destinations is therefore considered important to expand marine tourism connectivity, increase berthing capacity, strengthen services for yachts, and attract new investment to regional destinations.

“We invite marina developers and operators, yacht investors, and other players across the ecosystem to be part of the next chapter in the development of Indonesia’s marine tourism,” the Tourism Minister said.