Below is a list with tagged columns and company profiles.

Today's Headlines Tourists

  • Tourism Industry: Where Do Indonesians Go for Their Holiday?

    Last year Indonesians went on holiday, abroad, more than ever before. According to the latest data, a total of 9.1 million Indonesians visited some time abroad for their holiday in 2017, up from 8.4 million Indonesian tourists in 2016, or 8.1 million tourists in the preceding two years. What explains this rising trend?

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  • Tourism Indonesia: Visitor Arrivals Bali Starting to Recover

    The flow of tourists to Bali, Indonesia's top tourist destination, is gradually recovering after the eruption of Mount Agung (although the volcano is still showing activity). Therefore, Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya is optimistic that Bali will welcome at least seven million foreign tourists in full-year 2018.

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  • King Salman's Visit to Boost Middle Eastern Tourists to Indonesia?

    Earlier this week it was announced by the Saudi Embassy that King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia decided to extend his holiday on Indonesia's island of Bali by three days. After signing 11 agreements on partnerships between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia with regard to various sectors, ranging from security to oil and gas, King Salman - who brought an entourage of 1,500 people to Indonesia - can now enjoy the beauty of Bali, the most popular holiday destination of foreign tourists in Indonesia.

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  • Shortage of Hotels in Indonesia, Homestay Development is the Answer

    Indonesian authorities are eager to boost the number of tourists in Indonesia, both domestic and foreign tourists, because this will put the nation's economic wheels in motion, create employment opportunities for local communities and, in the case of foreign tourists, will result in rising foreign exchange earnings. In order to absorb a larger flow of tourists the government of Indonesia wants to see the development of more homestay accommodations across the Archipelago.

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  • Nautical Tourism Sector of Indonesia: an Untapped Potential

    The Indonesian government wants to increase the role of nautical tourism in the economy. Currently, nautical tourism only contributes 10 percent to the whole tourism industry of Indonesia. However, by 2019 the government wants to see the figure having doubled to 20 percent, or worth roughly USD $4 billion. Expansion should be achieved by expanding the number of tourist destinations across the Indonesian Archipelago. Nautical tourism includes the marina, charter and cruise industries that combine sailing and boating with holiday activities.

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  • Tourism Sector Indonesia: Rising Foreign Exchange Earnings

    The tourism sector of Indonesia has great potential for rapid growth in the years ahead as the government has been eager to boost growth in this sector by allowing more countries to use the visa-free visit facility and by spending more on infrastructure development to enhance inter- and intra-connectivity (including the development of new airports and harbors). Moreover, Indonesia's tourism sector has plenty of opportunity to expand rapidly because this sector comes from a very low base (for example, compared to regional peers, Indonesia attracts relatively few foreign tourists).

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  • Foreigners Abuse Indonesia's Visa-Free Policy, Gov't to Evaluate

    Indonesia will evaluate its visa-free policy as there are reports that some foreigners abuse this facility by conducting illegal activities in Indonesia, for example by taking up employment without having a work permit, engaging in drug trafficking, or spreading radical ideologies in the Archipelago. Through Presidential Regulation no. 21/2016 on Exemptions of Visit Visa, the government of Indonesia allowed citizens from a total of 169 countries to enter and stay within Indonesia (for a maximum period of 30 days).

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  • Tourism in Indonesia: Tourist Arrivals Target 2016 Achieved?

    It is highly likely that Indonesia will achieve its foreign visitor arrival target of 12 million people in 2016. In the first ten months of 2016 a total of 9.4 million foreigners already visited Indonesia, up 9.5 percent year-on-year (y/y) compared to foreign visitor arrivals in the same period one year earlier. Moreover, before the year-end, Indonesia's Tourism Ministry will organize several events - including a soccer tournament on the island of Bintan as well as the Festival Wonderful Indonesia - that should attract many additional foreign tourist arrivals.

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  • Authorities Indonesia to Limit Visitor Numbers at Borobudur Temple

    Nadjamuddin Ramly, Director of Heritage and Cultural Diplomacy at Indonesia's Ministry of Education and Culture, said authorities plan to limit the number of visitors that are allowed to enter the Borobudur temple in Magelang (Central Java) to 15 people at one time. This move would relieve rising pressure on the structure of the ancient building. Especially in weekends and holidays hundreds of visitors enter the site causing concern about the preservation of the temple that is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

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  • Tourism Indonesia: Foreign Tourist Arrivals Rise 5.9% in H1-2016

    The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia reached 5.29 million in the first half of 2016, up 5.9 percent (y/y) from the same period one year earlier. This implies that only 44 percent of the government's full-year target has been achieved so far. Indonesia's Tourism Ministry targets to welcome a total of 12 million foreign visitors in 2016. Meanwhile, according to the latest data from Indonesia's Statistics Agency (BPS), foreign visitor arrivals declined in June 2016, both on a monthly and annual basis.

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Latest Columns Tourists

  • Tourism Industry: How Can Indonesia Tap Its Tourism Potential? Challenges & Opportunities

    At the 50th anniversary of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association in mid-February 2019, Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized that the tourism industry should become the biggest industry in Indonesia in terms of foreign exchange earnings. Indonesia – a huge Archipelago that consists of more than 17.000 islands – has so much to offer to (foreign) tourists, such as beautiful beaches and countryside, flora & fauna, diving spots, wildlife, culture, culinary, historic relics as well as vibrant city life. However, so far, it fails to tap its full potential.

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  • Tourism Industry Indonesia: Gov't Seeks $20 Billion of Investment

    The Indonesian government is looking for big direct investment - both domestic and domestic direct investment - in Indonesia's tourism industry in its quest to turn the tourism industry into the nation's top foreign exchange earner, hence strengthening this industry's role toward the national economy. Therefore, the government formulated ten priority tourist destinations that are regarded to have great tourism potential.

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  • Tourism Sector Indonesia: 15 Million Foreign Tourists in 2017?

    Players in Indonesia's tourism industry are optimistic that more than 15 million foreign tourists will visit Indonesia in full-year 2017. Based on the latest data from Indonesia's Statistics Agency (BPS), a total of 5.36 million foreigners went on holiday in the world's largest Archipelago in the first five months of 2017, up 20.9 percent (y/y) from foreign visitor arrivals in the same period one year earlier.

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  • Tourism Sector Indonesia Update: US Tourists, Opportunities & Challenges

    Indonesia's Tourism Ministry is optimistic it can boost the number of American tourists who visit Indonesia by 25 percent to 375,000 individuals in 2017. Last year a total of 300,000 US citizens visited Indonesia for a holiday, up 11 percent year-on-year (y/y) from US visitor arrivals in the preceding year. Arief Yahya, Indonesian Tourism Minister, said the island of Bali is the favorite tourist destination for American tourists in Indonesia.

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  • Tourism in Indonesia: Labuan Bajo (Flores), the 'New Bali'?

    Labuan Bajo, a small harbor town on the island of Flores in Indonesia's Nusa Tenggara region, is considered the "new Bali" due to its huge tourism potential. Blessed with beautiful and idyllic natural scenery (including beaches and offshore islands), foreign and domestic tourists will surely have a great experience. Although there are already about a dozen of high-class hotels (4 or 5 stars) and it is fairly well connected to other parts of Indonesia (through its Komodo Airport and port), the small fishing town remains underdeveloped for now.

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  • Tour de Flores Cycling Race: Opportunity to Boost Tourism in Indonesia

    In Indonesia media are currently not focused on the Giro d'Italia or the upcoming Tour de France but rather on the Tour de Flores, the first ever cycling race as well as the first ever international sporting event that is organized on the island of Flores in the province of East Nusa Tenggara. Between 18 and 23 May 2016, 160 competitors from 16 countries participate in the Tour de Flores competing for IDR 1 billion (approx. USD $75,000) in prize money over a 743-kilometer track (in five stages) across the island's spectacular landscape.

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  • Tourism Indonesia: Visa-Free Visits & Impact Terrorist Attack

    Indonesia's Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said the government plans to offer the visa-free entry facility to 84 additional countries in 2016. This facility means that foreigners from designated countries do not need to obtain a visit visa before entering Indonesian territory (for visits under 30 days). This visa-free entry facility makes it easier for foreign tourists to enter Indonesia, and therefore it should boost tourist figures and foreign exchange earnings from the tourism industry.

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  • Tourism in Indonesia: Foreign Tourist Arrivals in 2015 slightly Short of Target

    Indonesia was visited by 6.3 million foreign tourists in the first eight months of 2015, up 2.7 percent (y/y) from the same period last year. However, foreign visitor arrivals on Bali, the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia, fell 11.3 percent (y/y) in August due to the temporary closure of Bali's Ngurah Rai international airport as Mount Raung (located in East Java) spew volcanic ash into the sky. This led to a sharp drop in Australian tourists entering Bali.

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  • How Can a Foreigner (Expat) Open a Foreign Currency Bank Account in Indonesia?

    Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) issued a new regulation that simplifies the opening of a foreign currency bank account by a foreign national (expat). A circular, S-246/S.01/2015 (dated 15 September 2015 and signed by OJK Chairman Muliaman D. Hadad), has been sent to all directors of Indonesian commercial banks that conduct business in foreign currencies. This new rule, part of the economic policy package that was released by the Indonesian government on 9 September, aims to boost foreign currency funds in Indonesia and support the rupiah.

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