Indonesia Tourism Sector Posts Gains Across Key Indicators

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s tourism sector continued to show strong performance through July 2026, with key indicators reflecting sustained growth and resilience.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, international tourist arrivals reached 8.98 million from January to July, an increase of 5.23 percent compared to the same period last year. Growth was driven by visitors from other Asian regions (8.69 percent), Southeast Asia (7.32 percent), and Oceania (7.26 percent).

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, accompanied by Deputy Minister Ni Luh Puspa, said the sector’s achievements reinforce optimism amid global uncertainty.

“The Ministry continues to implement mitigation measures, strengthen market strategies, and ensure that this growth momentum is sustained through the end of the year,” Minister Widiyanti said during the Ministry’s Monthly Performance Report in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Tourism’s foreign exchange earnings reached USD 8.43 billion in the first half of 2026, up 2.88 percent from USD 8.20 billion in the same period last year. The positive trend continued in the second quarter, with earnings totaling USD 4.39 billion.

Tourism’s direct contribution to Indonesia’s GDP also strengthened. Data from the Tourism Satellite Account compiled by the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) shows the sector contributed 4.78 percent, or approximately IDR 1,139 trillion, in 2025--up from IDR 1,057 trillion in 2024.

Domestic travel remained a major driver of growth. From January to July, domestic trips reached 737.85 million, increasing 3.34 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, outbound trips by Indonesians fell 3.25 percent to 5.26 million, resulting in a tourism travel surplus of 3.71 million.

The accommodation sector also showed improvement. Hotel occupancy averaged 49.13 percent from January to July, up 2.36 percent from the previous year--an indication that the hospitality industry is stabilizing after experiencing declines in 2025.

“For us, these figures are critical. Because tourism isn’t just about how many tourists arrive, but how much economic value they leave behind in Indonesia and how broadly the benefits are felt by the community,” Minister Widiyanti said.

The Ministry is directing this growth toward quality tourism, focusing on safety improvements, tourism village development, targeted promotions, and event-based tourism. As of September 1, Indonesia had 6,400 tourism villages.

However, natural disasters continue to challenge destination resilience. The government is strengthening mitigation and recovery efforts in several affected areas, including Bromo, Labuan Bajo, Lombok, and regions impacted by the Anak Krakatau eruption.

“These disasters and tragedies remind us that resilience must be an integral part of Indonesia’s tourism development,” said Minister Widiyanti. ***