Indonesia’s tourism sector continues to show positive performance despite the world still facing various economic and geopolitical challenges.
In the first quarter of 2026, foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector reached approximately US$4.05 billion, or the equivalent of Rp68.28 trillion.
This figure represents a 6.3 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year, indicating the tourism sector’s sustained recovery and growth.
In addition to the rise in foreign exchange earnings, the number of international tourists visiting Indonesia from January to April 2026 reached 4.68 million visits.
This figure grew by 8.24 percent compared to the same period in 2025, indicating that the appeal of Indonesia’s tourist destinations remains strong in the international market.
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana emphasized that the success of the tourism sector is not measured solely by the number of tourists or the amount of foreign exchange earned.
According to her, what is more important is how the economic benefits of the tourism sector can be directly felt by the community.
The government continues to promote the strengthening of SMEs, job creation, and regional economic development so that the positive impact of tourism becomes more widespread.
One strategy that continues to be reinforced is the development of tourism villages as new centers of economic growth in various regions.
Through the development of tourism villages, local communities are expected to derive greater benefits from tourism activities, whether through microenterprises, tourism services, or the creative economy.
The government considers this approach essential to ensuring that the growth of the tourism sector is inclusive and sustainable.
Overall, the positive performance of the tourism sector in early 2026 indicates an increasing contribution to national economic growth as well as improved community well-being across various regions of Indonesia.