The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia aims to achieve a foreign tourist visit target of 14.3 million by 2024. Sandiaga Uno, during the National Coordination Meeting in Bandung, directly stated, “The number of foreign tourists next year (2024) will range between 9.5 million to 14.3 million visits,” on 12th December 2023.
In 2023, the total foreign tourist visits surpassed expectations, reaching 9.49 million, exceeding the government’s initial target of 6-8.5 million tourists. Sandiaga Uno emphasized, “We are bolstering domestic tourist activities, aiming for 1.25 billion trips and 1.5 billion movements of domestic tourists next year.”
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For 2024, Sandiaga Uno also sets a foreign exchange target of $15 billion, with hopes to reach 16 million tourists by 2025. The Ministry of Tourism prioritizes attracting tourists from major contributors like Australia, India, China, the UK, and the United States.
Additionally, Sandiaga Uno highlighted that the tourism sector contributed to a 4% growth in gross domestic product (GDP), while the creative economy accounted for around 8%. To achieve the ambitious foreign tourist visit target, the Indonesian government must focus on enhancing all facilities and infrastructure.
Despite Indonesia’s reputation for breathtaking natural beauty, recent unpleasant incidents have tarnished its image as a tourist-friendly destination. In early January 2024, the World Travel & Tourism Council labelled Bali as an over-tourism destination.
The primary issue confronting Bali presently revolves around road congestion at key junctures. During the peak season in December 2023, Bali Mandara toll road experienced an exceptional 1.5 KM traffic jam.
Aside from Bali, special attention should be directed towards cities like Yogyakarta, Malang, and Lombok due to their immense potential to attract domestic and foreign tourists between 2024-2025.
