Indonesia’s tourism sector is on an upward trend, with the country registering 7.45 million foreign tourists in the first half of 2026. Indonesia is the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia with the highest number of visitors recorded in the first half of this year, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS).
International arrivals growth is a sign of foreign tourists’ confidence to visit Indonesia. The increased connectivity and the choice of destinations, from Bali’s beaches to Jakarta, Batam and Yogyakarta, as well as the lesser known regional island destinations, offer unique, local experiences.
The country’s tourism sector is one of the most competitive in the world. The number of international arrivals in Indonesia increased during the first semester of the year. Domestic tourists are also important in stimulating the tourism industry in Indonesia at the same time.
Indonesia’s Statistics Agency said 1.39 million foreign tourists entered Indonesia through airports, seaports and border checkpoints in June 2026. Over 1,21 million foreigners entered Indonesia through international airports and nearly 176 thousand tourists arrived at Indonesia’s border gates.
Meanwhile, Indonesia's tourist visits in June 2026 decreased by 2.15 percent compared to the same period last year. International tourist arrivals increased by a mere 0,32 percent over May 2026. This means the attractiveness of Indonesia for international tourists is still high, but is not growing as fast as previous months.
Indonesia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The government has made considerable efforts to ensure that the country is well-prepared for the growing demand in tourists by developing competitive offers, promoting the national tourism brand, and increasing the availability of air travel, both domestic and international.
International tourist traffic continues to grow and Indonesia is on track to keep its tourism boom going for the rest of 2026. The country’s tourism sector will be mainly driven by domestic tourists who will also support the government’s efforts to promote the country as a premier tourist destination. Experts say the positive impact on the national tourism sector will be bigger if Indonesia is promoted as a tourist destination through a wider strategy.
