Indonesia Targets 17.6 Million Tourists in 2026, Leveraging AI and Focusing on 15 Countries

By 2026, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism has set an ambitious target: to attract more than 17.6 million foreign tourists. To achieve this goal, the ministry is implementing cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and intends to focus on 15 key tourism markets.

Firnandi Gufron, Assistant Deputy for Strategy and Communications at the Ministry of Tourism, highlighted key directions for 2026 during the ‘Tourism Industry Outlook 2025’ presentation. The use of AI will play a crucial role in travel planning and booking, aligning with global trends of travel digitalization. Approximately 54% of tourists are transitioning from traditional search engines to AI for accurate travel information.

Another important factor is the increased focus on sustainability aspects of Indonesian tourism, reflecting global megatrends towards biodiversity, sustainable development, flexibility, and environmental protection. Additionally, the Ministry plans to emphasize personalized offerings for tourists, with the understanding that 93% of respondents trust AI for reliable travel information.

The main programs for 2025 remain ‘Clean Tourism,’ ‘Tourism 5.0,’ ‘Promoting National Values Through Events,’ and developing tourist villages. In 2026, the goal of becoming even more attractive to tourists will be strengthened by improving safety and oversight at resorts to avoid situations that may threaten tourists.

The Ministry will focus on promoting tourism in 15 countries, traditionally the largest sources of visitors. Among them are neighbors like Malaysia and Singapore, as well as major markets like China, India, and Europe. Special attention will be given to the mass and premium tourism segments, catering to wealthier tourists who prefer long-distance travel from Europe and the USA and are willing to spend more time and money on their trips to Indonesia.

Thus, Indonesia aims not only to increase tourist visits but also to improve the quality of offered services, making the country a noticeable player on the global tourism scene.