Indonesia Sees Highest Foreign Tourist Arrivals Post-Pandemic, 8.98 Million in 7 Months

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia reached a cumulative total of 8.98 million from January to July 2026. This figure marks the highest number of foreign visitors since 2020, the year the COVID-19 pandemic began. The cumulative arrivals represent a 5.23% increase compared to the same period in 2025, and it is the highest recorded in the last seven years. Ateng Hartono, Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics at BPS, explained that in July 2026 alone, 1,362,812 foreign tourists entered through main entry points, and 162,225 entered through border entry points. This brought the total monthly arrivals to a 9.99% increase from the previous month and a 2.95% increase year-on-year. Malaysian, Australian, and Chinese tourists continued to be the largest groups of visitors. Malaysian passport holders accounted for 15% of arrivals, followed by Australia at 12.34%, and China at 10.28%. On a month-to-month basis, arrivals from Australia and China saw an increase, while those from Malaysia experienced a decline. However, on a year-on-year basis, all three nationalities showed an increase. Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali remained the primary entry point, particularly for tourists from Australia. Furthermore, data from the second quarter of 2026 indicated that foreign tourists spent an average of 10.30 nights in Indonesia. The average expenditure per visit remained stable at US$1,285 (approximately Rp 23 million, based on an exchange rate of Rp 17,989 per US dollar), despite a slight decrease in the average length of stay compared to the previous quarter. Accommodation constituted the largest share of expenditure at 37.21%, followed by food and beverages at 19.81%, and shopping and souvenirs at 11.04%. Spending on entertainment, vehicle rentals, and domestic flights also saw an increase in proportion. Domestic travel also showed robust growth, with 107.19 million trips recorded in June 2026, a 0.97% increase from the previous month. Cumulatively, domestic trips reached 630.41 million from January to June 2026, a 2.71% growth compared to the same period last year, marking the highest record since 2019. Source: Liputan6