HARIANEXPRESS – The Indonesian government will concentrate on enhancing tourism investment and industry performance in the third quarter of 2026. This initiative aims to strengthen the national economy.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated this focus is a strategic move to propel the national economy towards the end of 2026. He emphasized the continued drive for investment and tourism-related industries.
“Kuartal selanjutnya tentu investasi tetap kita dorong. Kemudian, industri yang terkait dengan pariwisata juga terus kita genjot,” said Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto.
Airlangga highlighted Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) as increasingly favored destinations for both domestic and international travelers. These regions show promising growth within the tourism sector.
According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), domestic tourist trips reached 630.41 million from January to June 2026. This figure marks the highest for the second quarter since 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BPS data also indicates that foreign tourist visits to Bali reached 605,013 in June 2026, representing a 4.63 percent increase from May 2026. The island continues to be a major draw for international visitors.
In June 2026, NTB recorded 1,368,707 foreign tourist arrivals, a 2.73 percent rise compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, NTT saw 29,152 foreign tourist visits in June 2026.
These NTT visits jumped 40.73 percent year-on-year (yoy) and increased by 19.85 percent month-on-month (mom). Such robust growth in these regions is particularly noteworthy.
“Ini kan salah satu yang menarik, bahwa Nusa Tenggara dan Bali itu tumbuh di atas pertumbuhan nasional. Sehingga sektor yang terkait dengan pariwisata ini terbukti bisa menggeliat dan kita bisa dorong ini untuk low hanging fruit,” stated Coordinating Minister Airlangga.
The Minister also underscored the potential for more foreign tourist arrivals, especially from ASEAN countries, due to improved air transport connectivity. This enhanced connectivity aims to strengthen regional tourism ties.
An example of this improved connectivity is the new direct international flight route between Bali and Phuket, Thailand, operated by Transnusa. This service is expected to boost visitor numbers between the two popular destinations.
The Bali-Phuket route is anticipated to attract various travelers, including tourists, families, digital nomads, and adventure enthusiasts. They can explore the rich culture, cuisine, and unique attractions of both locations.
“Nah, juga ada direct flight nanti langsung dari Phuket ke Bali, atau dari Bangkok yang ditambahkan dengan penerbangan Transnusa. Sehingga dengan demikian hubungan tourism dua negara ini bisa meningkat,” said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.
