Indonesia experienced a 19% increase in international tourist arrivals in 2024, according to new figures released by the country’s Ministry of Tourism. The growth, from 11.68 million visitors in 2023 to 13.9 million in 2024, has been attributed to a range of factors, from the South East Asian republic’s political and social stability, to infrastructure improvements, digital promotional campaigns and visa reforms. Domestic tourism also increased by 21.6%.
Tourist spending also increased, reaching an average per visitor per stay of $1,391, with Europeans splashing out the most. The acting head of Indonesia’s Statistics Agency, Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, said the majority of the money was going on accommodation, food, and beverages, followed by transportation, retail, and recreational activities. A strategic focus on developing a high-value offer, including premium resorts, had helped to drive that spending, officials noted.
Preferred destinations and top source markets
While already popular destinations such as Bali topped the list for foreign tourism numbers, lesser known parts of the country saw record arrivals, driven by events, cultural and eco-tourism and adventure-oriented marketing of places such as Labuan Bajo, Komodo National Park, and diving hotspot Raja Ampat. Domestic tourists meanwhile prefer Java, which benefitted from 69% of their trips.
The major source markets for foreign tourists during 2024 were Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, China, and Timor-Leste, meaning the country is attracting both long-haul and short-haul arrivals. Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali was the busiest entry point with a total of 6.3 million foreign arrivals. Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport came in second with 2.52 million people, and Batam Port ranked third with 1.31 million.
Continued growth
The sector’s success seems set to continue, if a data overview shared by Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri is accurate. In a press release, she noted that a year-on-year comparison of the first 100 days since the inauguration of President Prabowo Subianto in October 2024, shows “the number of foreign tourists … continues to increase.”
Ada kabar bahagia nih, #SahabatIGID‼️
— Portal Informasi Indonesia (@indonesiago_id) March 2, 2025
Sektor #Pariwisata Indonesia mencatatkan rekor baru dalam 5 tahun terakhir dengan 13,9 juta kunjungan #Wisman sepanjang tahun 2024.
Angka ini menunjukkan peningkatan signifikan pasca pandemi COVID-19.#Indonesiagoid #KomdigiNewsroom pic.twitter.com/AyNHbyuDx6
The republic has set itself a target to bring in over 15 million foreign tourists in 2025 and support over 25 million tourism-related jobs, a sector-based employment boost of 2.5%. It intends to achieve this by continuing to invest in infrastructure such as airports, seaports, and roads, maintaining its focus on advertising, and working with private stakeholders to develop and diversify the country’s offer. Sustainability, eco and cultural tourism are key planks of a strategy that aims for responsible wealth generation that will have a positive impact on local communities.
