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THE Indonesian Ministry of Tourism reported that the number of foreign tourist visits to Indonesia reached 8.98 million between January and July 2026, marking a 5.23% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
“We should certainly be grateful for this achievement. However, the global situation remains highly dynamic. Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism continues to implement mitigation measures, strengthen market strategies, and ensure that this growth momentum is maintained through the end of the year,” said Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana during the Ministry’s monthly performance report presentation in Jakarta on Friday (9/11), 2026.
Growth in foreign tourist visits was recorded across several regions: 8.69% from other parts of Asia, 7.32% from Southeast Asia, and 7.26% from Oceania. With the improving situation in the Middle East, tourist visits from that region have also returned to positive growth. Meanwhile, the European market, despite still experiencing a contraction, has begun to show signs of improvement compared to the previous month.
According to the Minister, these conditions demonstrate the effectiveness of the market diversification strategies implemented by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with various stakeholders.
She also revealed that in the first semester of 2026, tourism foreign exchange earnings reached US$8.43 billion (equivalent to IDR145.13 trillion), a 2.88% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when earnings stood at US$8.20 billion (equivalent to IDR134.68 trillion).
“This means that amidst geopolitical dynamics, uncertainty, and a global economic slowdown, Indonesia’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate resilience,” Widiyanti said.
In the second quarter of 2026, tourism foreign exchange earnings reached US$4.39 billion (equivalent to IDR76.99 trillion), remaining relatively stable compared to the second quarter of the previous year. Widiyanti noted that every tourist transaction—ranging from accommodation and dining to purchasing Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) products—helps drive the local economy. The resulting foreign exchange earnings subsequently stimulate the economic chain, ultimately benefiting the community.
“For us, this figure is significant because tourism is not merely about the number of visiting tourists, but the economic value they leave behind in Indonesia and the extent to which the community feels the benefits,” she added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa stated that growth in the tourism sector is also supported by domestic travel.
She explained that cumulatively, from January to July 2026, there were 737.85 million domestic tourist trips recorded, representing a 3.34% increase compared to the same period the previous year. During the same period, the number of trips abroad by Indonesians reached 5.26 million—a 3.25% decrease compared to the same period the prior year. This indicates a surplus of 3.71 million trips for Indonesia.
“This is important because tourism growth cannot be measured solely by the number of people traveling. What we aim to foster is how these trips generate longer stays, tourist spending, business activities, and economic benefits at the destinations,” she affirmed.
Increased tourism activity is also reflected in hotel occupancy rates; from January to July 2026, the rate reached 49.13%, an increase of 2.36% compared to the same period the previous year.
Additionally, Tourism Satellite Account calculations compiled by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) show that tourism’s direct contribution to GDP in 2025 reached 4.78%—or approximately IDR1,139 trillion—up from IDR1,057 trillion in 2024. [traveltext.id]
