Indonesia targets significant tourism growth through special economic zones

The Indonesian government has announced ambitious targets for its tourism sector, aiming to attract 19.1 million international tourists by 2027. This follows a 2026 target range of 16 million to 17.6 million visitors. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that the government is focusing on developing six tourism-oriented special economic zones (SEZs): Mandalika, Kura Kura Bali, Tanjung Kelayang, Tanjung Lesung, Lido, and Likupang.

In Bali, Governor Wayan Koster noted that the tourism sector contributes approximately 66 percent to the regional economy. Bali's economic growth was recorded at 5.82 percent in 2025, supported by roughly 7.05 million international visitors. While international arrivals showed a positive trend through September 2026 after a brief dip due to global geopolitics, Koster highlighted a decline in domestic tourism attributed to rising airfares.

Nationally, the government aims to generate approximately $24 billion in foreign exchange earnings from international tourism in 2026, a figure comparable to the value of Indonesia’s palm oil exports. Efforts to reach these goals include destination development, hosting major events like MotoGP in Mandalika, and intensified promotional campaigns to increase international visibility.