Indonesia is aiming for 20 million visitors by the end of 2019, with some 2 million expected to come from Australia.

Short-term growth will come from:

1) Ongoing promotion of Bali to repeaters.

2) Introducing new locations in Bali to new and current customers, for example: buzzy Canggu just north of Seminyak; quiet Sanur and Candidasa in the East; and peaceful West Bali National Park.

3) Introducing popular destinations to new customers, for example Yogyakarta, the City of Festivals, in Central Java.

4) Introducing new destinations to both current and new customers, for example Lombok for stunning beaches and a 5-star villa or hotel experience, and Flores and Komodo National Park for those seeking soft adventure, raw nature and panoramic views.

What is in store for 2018?

The Wonderful Indonesia brand will highlight the wonders of Indonesia across 5 themes: Cultural, Natural, Adventure, Sensory and Modern.

The Ministry of Tourism is promoting 10 destinations ready right now: Bali; Lombok in Nusa Tenggara Barat; Yogyakarta, Solo and Semarang in Central Java; Banyuwangi Region, East Java; Jakarta and Bandung City in West Java; the Riau Islands including Batam and Bintan Islands off East Sumatra; the Coral Triangle comprising Wakatobi (South East Sulawesi), Bunaken (North Sulawesi) and Raja Ampat (West Papua); Medan in North Sumatra; and Makassar in Sulawesi.

Trade is invited to explore these destinations at the the Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF), 26-30 June 2018. BBTF is Indonesia’s major tourism event promoting destinations across the archipelago.

Consumer marketing activity is expected to include digital, electronic, print and out-of-home advertising. PR on national travel programs will highlight next-gen destinations.

Trade marketing will include a mix of sales missions, familiarisation trips and cooperative campaigns.

Enhancing accessibility by air and by sea is the infrastructure priority. Fifteen new airports are being planned, 13 passenger terminals are being renovated and 27 runways are being extended. Port dredging and hydrographic mapping are occurring at key ports to accelerate Indonesia’s participation in the cruise boom.

What’s next?

1) Use the Wonderful Indonesia website (indonesia.travel) as a destination reference.

2) Keep an eye out for the 2018 calendar of events.

3) Familiarise yourself with next-gen Indonesian destinations so you can introduce travellers to the Wonders next door.

This is a press release from Tourism Indonesia.