Despite being blessed with some of the most stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage in Southeast Asia, Tourist Visits to Indonesia still trail behind other ASEAN countries. The country’s tourism performance remains behind neighbors like Malaysia and Vietnam, even though its natural and cultural assets far surpass many in the region.
Senior Vice President (SVP) Corporate Secretary of InJourney, Yudhistira Setiawan, voiced concern over this imbalance. He highlighted that while Indonesia possesses the largest tourism assets in Southeast Asia, the number of international tourists remains far from optimal.
“Indonesia has the largest tourism assets in Southeast Asia, but when we convert that into actual tourist visits, we are among the lowest. We’re now in fifth place, below Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Vietnam,” Yudhistira said during the Indonesia Tourism Outlook 2026 event in Jakarta, Wednesday (October 29, 2025).
According to him, Indonesia not only receives fewer tourists compared to its regional peers but also records shorter stays and lower spending per visitor. This, he added, shows that the country’s vast tourism potential has yet to be fully maximized. “Why do we have such vast and beautiful assets, yet attract so few tourists?” he questioned, pointing to the urgent need for more coordinated efforts in developing the sector.
Read also: BI Urges Investors to Explore Bali’s Untapped Regions Outside Sarbagita
Yudhistira explained that InJourney is responding to these challenges through a structured roadmap that centers on six main pillars. The plan includes developing more attractions and tourism programs, strengthening flagship destinations, improving flight connectivity, upgrading infrastructure, promoting sustainable tourism, and advancing human resource capabilities.
Infrastructure development, in particular, remains a key focus. He emphasized the need for better access and facilities to make it easier for travelers to reach various destinations across the archipelago. Enhanced infrastructure, he noted, would not only support domestic mobility but also make Indonesia more appealing to global travelers seeking seamless experiences.
Yudhistira also stressed that higher tourist arrivals play a critical role in drawing new investments, especially in the five Super Priority Tourism Destinations (DPSP): Lake Toba, Borobudur, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang. These areas are expected to become growth centers for Indonesia’s future tourism industry.
“When we talk about destinations, we’re also talking about the positioning of each one. That’s where investment can come in to help develop those destinations further,” he concluded, emphasizing that collaboration between the government, private sector, and local communities will be crucial in transforming Indonesia’s immense tourism potential into tangible results.
