Indonesia Celebrates Surge in Foreign Tourist Arrivals, Highest in Four Years

Indonesia has witnessed a remarkable surge in foreign tourist arrivals, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s tourism sector. According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), 3,031,756 foreign tourists visited Indonesia in the first quarter of 2024.

Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, Acting Head of BPS, announced that foreign tourist arrivals from January to March 2024 saw a substantial increase of 25.43 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. This surge represents the highest number of foreign tourist arrivals in the past four years, signaling a promising trend for Indonesia’s tourism industry.

In March 2024 alone, the country welcomed 1,041,861 foreign tourists, a slight decrease of 1.91 percent from the previous month but a notable increase of 19.86 percent year over year.

The data also revealed the top source countries for foreign tourists, with Malaysia leading at 15.4 percent, followed by Australia (11.9 percent), Singapore (11.5 percent), and China (9.1 percent), among others. Despite a temporary decline in arrivals from Malaysia in April 2024 due to the Ramadan season, there was a notable 5.13 percent increase year-on-year.

The report highlighted Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali as the primary entry point for foreign tourists, accounting for 44.5 percent of arrivals. It was followed by Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Banten (15.45 percent), Batam Airport (10 percent), and others.

Additionally, domestic tourism showed promising growth, with 691,550 trips recorded in March 2024, marking a 4.85 percent increase compared to February 2024 and a 7.45 percent increase compared to last year. Malaysia emerged as the top destination for domestic tourists, followed by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.

The surge in tourist arrivals underscores Indonesia’s appeal as a diverse and vibrant destination, offering a rich tapestry of cultural experiences and natural wonders for visitors from around the globe.