Indonesia Reports Record Tourism Surplus

Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, announced an impressive tourism surplus the country recorded in 2025. At a press conference held at the Ministry of Tourism, the minister shared that the number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia significantly exceeded the number of Indonesians traveling abroad. From January to October 2025, 12.76 million foreign tourists arrived in the country, surpassing outbound Indonesian trips by more than 5 million. This growth has drawn international attention, placing Indonesia prominently on the global tourism map as a standalone destination. During the press conference, Putri Wardhana highlighted that active promotional efforts, including 22 major partnerships and 16 business meetings, have significantly contributed to the surge in tourism revenue and strengthened the economy. The minister also noted that the successes in the tourism sector are driving infrastructure development and enhancing job creation in Indonesia. She expressed confidence that by the end of the year, Indonesia will welcome around 15 million foreign tourists. The growth is unsurprising, considering the government’s strategic initiatives to attract tourists and active engagement with the international community. The record influx of tourists has created a tourism surplus, exceeding forecasts at $18.5 billion, significantly improving the country’s economic standing. This growth has also bolstered the small and medium-sized business sector, actively operating within the tourism industry. This not only contributes to economic development but also opens up new opportunities for international tourism cooperation.