International visits increased 5.38% year-on-year, while domestic travel rose 4.29% to 842.15 million trips, highlighting the continued strength of Indonesia’s tourism market.
Indonesia recorded 10.58 million foreign tourist visits between January and August 2026, an increase of 5.38% compared with the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Domestic tourism also maintained its upward trajectory, with trips by Indonesian residents reaching 842.15 million, up 4.29% year-on-year.
The figures were presented by Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana during the ministry’s monthly performance briefing in Jakarta on October 8. Officials said the growth reflected the resilience of the country’s tourism sector amid continuing international uncertainties.
August arrivals show further growth
Indonesia received approximately 1.6 million foreign tourist visits in August, a 6.27% increase compared with August 2025. Domestic travel recorded stronger monthly growth, reaching 104.3 million trips, up 11.47% year-on-year.
The ministry said its efforts to diversify source markets were showing positive results. During the first eight months of 2026, visits from other Asian markets increased by 8.41%, while arrivals from Southeast Asia rose 7.75% and those from Oceania grew 7.36%. Visits from the Middle East also returned to growth, increasing 1.3% cumulatively.
Domestic travel remained a significant pillar of the market, supporting tourism activity across Indonesia’s regions and helping sustain demand for accommodation, transport, attractions and local businesses.
Outbound travel declines as domestic demand strengthens
Trips by Indonesians travelling overseas fell 3.56% year-on-year to 5.91 million during January–August 2026, according to the ministry’s report.
The difference between foreign tourist visits to Indonesia and outbound trips by Indonesian residents widened to 4.67 million, compared with 3.91 million in the same period of 2025. The figures point to a stronger balance between inbound visits and outbound travel, although the two measures track different types of travel activity.
Indonesia improves its tourism development ranking
Indonesia also reported progress in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026, released in September. According to the ministry, the country’s score increased to 4.56 from 4.46 in 2024, placing it 23rd globally, sixth in Asia-Pacific and second in Southeast Asia, behind Singapore.
The ministry highlighted Indonesia’s performance in several index pillars, including first place globally for prioritisation of travel and tourism, fifth for price competitiveness, ninth for natural resources and 15th for cultural resources and socioeconomic impact.
The index assesses the conditions and policies that support the sustainable and resilient development of travel and tourism. Indonesia’s improved score indicates progress in its overall assessment, while continued investment and destination development remain important to strengthening the sector.
Tourism investment rises
Tourism investment increased from IDR 47.14 trillion in 2024 to IDR 73.56 trillion in 2025, representing growth of 56.05%, the ministry reported.
Investment remained concentrated in Bali and Jakarta, with the government seeking to spread development more widely across 13 priority and regenerative tourism destinations and special economic zones. The approach aims to encourage regional economic activity and broaden the benefits of tourism beyond established centres.
Hotel occupancy edges higher
Indonesia’s star-rated hotels recorded an average occupancy rate of 52.52% in August 2026, an increase of 2.01% year-on-year, according to the ministry’s report. Average occupancy for January–August reached 49.56%, up 2.30% compared with the same period a year earlier.
The figures provide an additional indicator of tourism demand, although occupancy levels can vary significantly by destination, season and hotel category.
Regional events support local economies
Through its Karisma Event Nusantara programme, the ministry supported 125 regional events across 38 provinces in 2026. By September 30, 89 events had been held in 34 provinces.
An assessment covering 78 events recorded 9.97 million visitors and IDR 888.52 billion in direct economic transactions, excluding multiplier effects. The events involved 19,866 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and 120,642 arts workers, while generating employment for 58,077 workers.
The programme forms part of efforts to use festivals and regional events to attract visitors, support local enterprises and distribute tourism-related economic activity across the country.
Gastronomy tourism gains momentum
Indonesia is also promoting food-led travel through initiatives such as the second edition of Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy, held in Solo and Yogyakarta. The event’s three-day Artisan Market attracted more than 2,000 visitors, exceeding its target of 1,300, the ministry reported.
Culinary experiences are increasingly being used to showcase regional identities and encourage visitors to explore destinations beyond the country’s best-known tourism hubs.
Tourism contributed 4.78% of Indonesia’s gross domestic product in 2025, according to the ministry. Officials said the sector’s wider economic role includes job creation, support for small businesses, investment, foreign-exchange earnings and regional development.
The ministry also reported providing IDR 817.5 million in assistance and work equipment on September 30 to support local businesses and traditional weaving activities following a fire in Sade Hamlet, West Nusa Tenggara.
