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THE MINISTRY of Tourism showcased the potential and investment opportunities within Indonesia’s (RI’s) marina and marine tourism industries to global industry players and investors during “The 6th Monaco Smart and Sustainable Marina Rendezvous” in Monaco, held from Sunday to Monday (9/20–21), 2026.
Speaking at the forum, Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana explained that Indonesia’s status as the world’s largest archipelagic nation—supported by its geographical richness and marine biodiversity—serves as a vital asset for developing world-class marine tourism.
“Indonesia boasts a coastline of nearly 100,000 kilometers, tropical waters, and 700 diving sites, providing a strong foundation for the development of yachting, sailing, and island-hopping activities year-round,” she stated.
She noted that Indonesia possesses numerous regions offering distinct sailing experiences. In the west, these include the Riau Islands, Belitung, Ujung Kulon, and the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu). This potential extends to Bali, Lombok-Gili Tramena, and Labuan Bajo.
Meanwhile, in the eastern region, Indonesia’s marine biodiversity is particularly outstanding due to its location at the epicenter of the Coral Triangle. Key areas with significant potential include Wakatobi, Ambon and Banda, Morotai and other parts of Maluku, as well as Raja Ampat.
This natural potential is further bolstered by the scale of Indonesia’s tourism market. In 2025, foreign tourist arrivals reached 15.4 million, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 14.8% between 2023 and 2025.
Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) indicates that in 2025, more than half—or 52.6%—of foreign tourists engaged in marine tourism activities during their stay in Indonesia. These figures highlight the immense opportunity for developing marine-based tourism products and services. The yacht market in Indonesia is also projected to continue growing, rising from US$261.9 million in 2025 to US$449.1 million in 2033. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7%.
“The market continues to expand. Indonesia has recorded 127 superyacht arrivals for the 2025–2026 period—the second-highest figure in Asia-Pacific, trailing only Australia,” said the Minister of Tourism.
The Minister explained that the development of marine tourism aims to position Indonesia as a premier destination for marine tourism—specifically yachting—supported by world-class facilities and an increasingly competitive tourism ecosystem.
“We view marine tourism as an opportunity to enhance the quality and diversity of Indonesia’s tourism products and maximize the potential of our marine destinations, while simultaneously generating greater benefits for local communities,” said Minister Widiyanti.
Despite this immense potential, Indonesia still faces challenges regarding the infrastructure supporting marine tourism. Currently, 29 ports have been designated as entry and exit points for yachts across the Indonesian archipelago. Of these, 19 feature customs or duty-free entry schemes.
However, Indonesia’s marina infrastructure capacity remains relatively limited compared to the available market potential. The country currently has 10 marinas with a total of 336 berths.
For comparison, Singapore—which has a much smaller land area—boasts over 1,200 berths, while Malaysia and Thailand each have more than 1,400 berths.
The gap between the vast potential of marine tourism and the available infrastructure creates opportunities for new investment, particularly in marina construction, the expansion of berthing capacity, and the development of yacht industry support services.
These opportunities are further amplified by the fact that current marina and yacht port facilities are largely concentrated in western and central Indonesia, whereas many premier diving and snorkeling destinations are located in the country’s eastern regions.
Therefore, the development of international-standard marinas in various strategic destinations is considered crucial for expanding marine tourism connectivity, increasing berthing capacity, enhancing yacht services, and simultaneously unlocking new regional investment opportunities.
“We invite marina developers and operators, yacht investors, and other ecosystem stakeholders to be part of the next chapter in the development of Indonesia’s marine tourism,” she noted.
The government hopes that investment in the marine tourism sector will not only improve the capacity and quality of tourism infrastructure but also generate a multiplier effect for the regional economy.
Furthermore, discussions covered the potential for drafting a master plan to develop marine tourism—specifically the cruise and yacht sectors—encompassing a comprehensive ecosystem transformation. Indonesia also has the opportunity to benchmark against Monaco, strengthen maritime tourism promotion, and facilitate business matching with international investors and technology partners.
The Minister of Tourism attended the event alongside an Indonesian delegation comprising project owners from Bali, Labuan Bajo, Tanjung Lesung, and Lombok. This opportunity connects them with global players, bringing world-class standards to Indonesia while showcasing Indonesia to the world.
The presence of these delegates also demonstrates the commitment of all stakeholders to establishing a high-quality, sustainable marine tourism ecosystem.
“What we aim to build is not merely a marina, but a high-quality and sustainable marine tourism ecosystem that engages MSMEs, tourism operators, transportation and hospitality providers, and local communities,” the Widiyanti concluded. [traveltext.id]
