Domestic and International Tourism Drive Record-Breaking Year for Indonesia

The tourism sector in Indonesia is continuing to move from strength to strength, with the number of foreign visitors rising by 10.44% in 2025. Indonesia registered 13.98 million visitors between January and November 2025, up from 12.66 million visitors in 2024 during the same period. These figures indicate a rising interest in visiting Indonesia, contrary to what is happening in the global tourism sector.

Key Markets and Tourist Arrivals
The countries contributing the most to Indonesia’s foreign visitor numbers in 2025 reflect the region’s strong tourism ties. Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, China, and Timor-Leste have consistently been top sources of international tourists, with these markets showing resilient growth despite global economic shifts. The diversity of origin countries also emphasizes Indonesia’s broad appeal to both regional and international travelers.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti noted that the increase in arrivals from these key countries aligns with Indonesia’s marketing efforts and strategic initiatives to promote its diverse destinations. “These five countries cumulatively contributed more than 56 percent of total international tourist arrivals as of November 2025,” she said, underscoring the importance of maintaining and expanding relationships with these core markets.

Busiest Airports and Key Entry Points
In terms of airport arrivals, Indonesia’s primary entry points continued to be its major international airports, which are vital to facilitating the surge in tourism. The five busiest airports—I Gusti Ngurah Rai in Bali, Soekarno-Hatta in Jakarta, Juanda in Surabaya, Kualanamu in Medan, and Yogyakarta International Airport—remained the main gateways into the country for international visitors. Bali, in particular, continues to serve as a major tourism hub, with the island’s attractions, including its beaches, culture, and vibrant nightlife, continuing to draw visitors from around the world.

The significant volume of international arrivals through these airports underscores Indonesia’s strong international air connectivity and the country’s appeal as a major tourist destination. The infrastructure improvements in the country’s airports and transportation systems also contribute to the seamless experience for tourists arriving in Indonesia.

Domestic Tourism: A Record-Breaking Year
In addition to the rise in foreign tourist arrivals, Indonesia also witnessed a surge in domestic tourism, with 1.09 billion domestic tourist travels recorded between January and November 2025, surpassing the government’s target of 1.08 billion. This increase in domestic tourism is a sign of Indonesia’s growing popularity as a destination for local travelers, supported by a wide range of cultural, natural, and recreational activities across the archipelago.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa highlighted the growing importance of domestic tourism as part of the overall tourism strategy. “The favorable trend reflects growth in the tourism sector and the importance of strengthening connectivity, driving targeted promotions, and improving service quality,” she noted. These efforts have contributed to the increasing number of domestic travelers exploring new and less-visited destinations within Indonesia.

Puspa also pointed out that more than 61% of domestic tourists are concentrated in five provinces on Java Island, including East Java, West Java, Central Java, Jakarta, and Banten. This indicates that while there are strong tourism clusters in certain regions, there is an opportunity for broader geographic distribution through targeted promotion of less-visited regions.

Tourism Incentives and Holiday Promotions
To further stimulate tourism, particularly during the peak holiday seasons, the Ministry of Tourism rolled out several strategic initiatives to encourage travel within the country. For example, during the December holiday period, 11.81 million people traveled to Indonesia’s priority tourist destinations, marking a 10.95% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. The government provided transportation incentives and launched a variety of tourism packages to encourage travel during this busy season.

One of the standout initiatives was the Belanja di Indonesia Aja (BINA) Great Sale 2025, a national shopping and tourism event that generated approximately Rp31 trillion (US$1.8 billion) in transactions. This initiative helped drive domestic consumption and brought additional focus to shopping tourism, which has become a significant part of Indonesia’s tourism offerings.

Cultural and Gastronomic Tourism on the Rise
As part of its broader tourism diversification efforts, Indonesia is also seeing an increasing number of travelers interested in cultural tourism, including food tourism. The success of cultural events like the Taste of Indonesia Festival and the rising popularity of regional culinary experiences have contributed to the appeal of Indonesia as a diverse destination for travelers seeking to explore local traditions, history, and gastronomy.

The increased focus on cultural, gastronomic, and eco-tourism activities has positioned Indonesia as an attractive destination for visitors seeking authentic, enriching travel experiences that go beyond typical beach holidays.

Challenges and the Road Ahead for Indonesian Tourism
While the growth in international and domestic tourism in 2025 is promising, Indonesia’s tourism sector still faces challenges. These include fluctuating global economic conditions, ongoing infrastructure development needs, and competition from other emerging destinations in Southeast Asia. However, the government’s ongoing commitment to tourism innovation, sustainable practices, and improved services provides a solid foundation for continued growth.

Looking ahead to 2026, the tourism industry is projected to maintain strong growth, especially as Indonesia prepares for major global events, including international conferences, sports events, and cultural festivals. The continued investment in infrastructure, air connectivity, and tourism marketing is expected to drive the sector’s recovery and long-term sustainability.

A Positive Outlook for Indonesia’s Tourism Future
Indonesia’s tourism sector is recovering strongly, with impressive growth in both international and domestic tourism. With its diverse attractions, rich culture, and natural beauty, the country continues to attract travelers from across the globe. The 10.44% increase in international arrivals in 2025 demonstrates the global appeal of Indonesia, while the success of domestic tourism shows the growing local interest in exploring the country’s many regions. As the government continues to promote responsible tourism, enhance infrastructure, and diversify offerings, Indonesia’s tourism sector is well-positioned for future success.

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