Indonesia’s Tourist Arrivals

Malaysia Tops Indonesia’s Tourist Arrivals in Early 2026 as Indian Visits Continue to Grow

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Indonesia recorded 1.09 million foreign tourist visits in March 2026, according to data from the Badan Pusat Statistik (BSPS). The figure marked a 10.50% increase compared to March 2025.

Malaysian tourists accounted for the largest share of arrivals during the month.

“Based on nationality, Malaysian foreign tourists still ranked first in visiting Indonesia in March 2026, with 186.53 thousand visits (17.14%), followed by Australia with 130.72 thousand visits (12.01%), and Singapore with 102.82 thousand visits (9.45%),” said Ateng Hartono during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday, 4 May.

Cumulatively, foreign tourist visits reached 3.44 million in the January to March 2026 period.

Domestic tourism also showed strong movement. In March 2026, domestic travellers made 126.34 million trips across the country.

Indian Tourist Arrivals Show Steady Growth

Data from BPS also showed continued growth in tourist arrivals from India, particularly to Bali. Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti stated that Indian tourist visits reached 157,100 in the first quarter of 2026.

This figure reflects a 3.90% increase compared to the same period last year.

On a monthly basis, Indian arrivals reached 53,800 in March 2026, up 1.26% from February. Of these, around 78.92%, or 42,460 visitors, entered Indonesia through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.

“Most of them entered through Ngurah Rai Airport,” Amalia said in a written statement on Monday, 4 May 2026.

Indian tourists accounted for 4.94 per cent of total foreign arrivals in March 2026. Their average length of stay reached 7.02 nights, according to BPS data.

Tourist Spending and Key Entry Points

BPS also reported an increase in average tourist spending. In the first quarter of 2026, foreign visitors spent an average of US$1,345.61, equivalent to IDR 23.27 million, based on an exchange rate of IDR 17,300.

“Ateng stated that the largest proportion of foreign tourist expenditure was allocated to accommodation, at 37.23%. Furthermore, foreign tourists spent 20.17% on food and beverages, and 11.04% on shopping and souvenirs,” the agency said.

The data also confirmed that I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport remained the main entry point for international visitors. “Most foreign tourist arrivals come through Ngurah Rai Airport. These visits are dominated by Australian tourists,” Ateng added.

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Imelda is a content writer specializing in viral news and Indonesian culture. Her work revolves around researching and analyzing current events, social media trends, and popular culture.

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