BALINEWSID.COM, JAKARTA — Indonesia’s tourism sector continued to record positive growth, with international tourist arrivals reaching 8.98 million visits during January–July 2026, an increase of 5.23 percent compared with the same period last year.

Amid the growth, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana launched the Indonesia Tourism Outlook 2026/2027 on Monday (September 28), coinciding with World Tourism Day, which is observed annually on September 27.

The outlook is designed as a strategic reference for stakeholders in the tourism sector to assess emerging trends, identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and help shape the direction of Indonesia’s tourism development toward 2027.

“The global tourism landscape is changing very dynamically. From geopolitical uncertainty and climate challenges to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, these changes bring both new challenges and opportunities,” Widiyanti said in Jakarta.

She said the latest international tourist arrival figures provide an important foundation for strengthening Indonesia’s tourism sector. However, she cautioned stakeholders against becoming complacent with the positive performance.

According to Widiyanti, future tourism growth should not be measured solely by the number of visitors, but also by the quality of the travel experience, greater economic value, and more tangible benefits for local communities.

“Looking ahead to next year, we must move toward stronger growth. The Indonesia Tourism Outlook serves as our shared compass for understanding change, identifying opportunities, and anticipating risks,” she said.

The Indonesia Tourism Outlook 2026/2027 was developed by incorporating insights from tourism experts through an expert survey, as well as interviews with businesses and partners involved in various flagship programs of the Ministry of Tourism.

The approach is intended to bridge government policy perspectives with developments and needs within the tourism industry. The report provides an overview of Indonesia’s tourism sector while highlighting opportunities, challenges, and priorities for future development.

The Tourism Ministry expects the outlook to strengthen the basis for government policymaking, serve as a strategic reference for the national tourism industry, and encourage greater cross-sector collaboration.

Widiyanti emphasized that the development of Indonesia’s tourism sector cannot be driven by the government alone. It requires the involvement of industry players, academics, communities, local residents, and other stakeholders.

“On the spirit of World Tourism Day, I hope this document will strengthen our policy foundation, serve as a reference for industry players, and strengthen collaboration among all of us,” Widiyanti said.

The Indonesia Tourism Outlook 2026/2027 is available for download through the Ministry of Tourism’s website.