In the wake of the government’s decision to revoke pandemic status and ease PPKM regulations, a remarkable shift in domestic tourists mobility has been witnessed during the first quarter of this year, showing a substantial upswing compared to the corresponding period in the preceding year.
The data provided by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reveals a significant increase in the number of foreign tourist visits during the January-June 2023 period, totaling an impressive 433.57 million trips, which translates to a notable surge of 12.57% when juxtaposed with the figures from the previous year, which accounted for 385.16 million trips.
Delving deeper into the trends, Pudji Ismartini, the Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics at BPS, expounds on the dynamics of domestic travel. The majority of domestic tourists were drawn to various captivating destinations within the island of Java, collectively accounting for an impressive 74.33 percent of total travel.
“The highest number of domestic tourists opted for East Java, contributing to a noteworthy 26.92 percent, equating to a staggering 116.70 million tourists. The city of Surabaya, in particular, garnered the attention of 10.06 million travelers,” she elucidated during a press conference held at the BPS office on a fine Tuesday, July 1st.
As the data unfolds, West Java took the second spot with a total of 17.40 percent, and the charming city of Bandung emerged as the most preferred destination, attracting 10.25 million travelers.
“Moreover, Central Java played a prominent role, accounting for 14.55 percent, and the city of Semarang stood as a favored choice with 5.72 million trips,” she added, elaborating on the captivating diversity of domestic travel preferences.
Notably, DKI Jakarta, the bustling capital city, did not trail behind, attaining a percentage of 6.94, with Jakarta Pusat being a key destination. The surrounding areas of Jakarta, such as Banten and Tangerang, also partook in the travel boom, capturing percentages of 4.8 and 6.11 million, respectively.
However, interestingly, despite its reputation as a tourism hotspot, Yogyakarta found itself just below Tangerang with 5.66 million trips.
Beyond the confines of Java, the allure of Indonesia’s archipelago continued to beckon travelers. North Sumatra boasted an impressive 14.33 million trips, while South Sulawesi followed closely with a total of 14.32 million trips. Meanwhile, the paradisiacal island of Bali, renowned for its natural beauty, recorded a respectable 9.71 million trips.
“In light of the approximately 433.57 million trips, an overwhelming 74.33% of these journeys were confined within the realms of Java, with East Java, in particular, securing the lead as the province with the highest number of domestic tourist arrivals, making a monumental contribution of 26.92%,” emphasized Pudji, providing valuable insights into the travel landscape of Indonesia.
As the nation basks in the joy of revived mobility and vibrant tourism, stakeholders and authorities, led by the BPS, remain vigilant in their monitoring of travel trends and strive to enforce measures to ensure that the allocation of resources aligns with the patterns of travel and to safeguard the sustainability and growth of this vital sector.
The resurgence of tourism not only promises economic benefits but also brings hope and prosperity to countless communities, invigorating local businesses and leaving a positive imprint on the path to recovery and growth.
