Yohanes Maharso Joharsoyo, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno reported that about 7.4 million foreign tourists visited the country from January to August 2023, an increase of 136 percent compared to the total foreign tourist visits throughout 2022.
"In August 2023, the foreign tourist visits reached 1.132 million. Cumulatively, the total number of foreign tourist visits from January to August 2023 amounted to 7,443,260," Sandiaga said at The Weekly Brief With Sandi Uno in Jakarta on Monday, October 9, 2023.
He explained that the number increased by 1.02 percent compared to July 2023. Meanwhile, when compared to August 2022, the number increased by 68.92 percent, exceeding the target set in early 2023.
"The figure managed to exceed the target of foreign tourist visits at the beginning of the year, which was 7.4 million. This proves the revival of tourism and the creative economy, which is starting to grow," Sandiaga said.
"The target of 7.4 million foreign tourist visits set at the beginning of the year is revised to 8.5 million foreign tourist visits by the middle of the year," he added. "We still have four months to go. I am optimistic that the target of 8.5 million foreign tourist visits can be exceeded by 10-20 percent to 10-11 million visits by the end of the year."
Foreign tourists visiting Indonesia in August 2023 were dominated by Malaysian citizens with 15.43 percent, followed by Australians with 11.39 percent, and Singaporeans with 9.31 percent.
Sandiaga Uno also said that the top destination remained Bali Island, which was evident from the increased number of foreign arrivals at Ngurah Rai Airport. "There was a 280.74 percent increase. Meanwhile, [the number of foreign arrivals at] Soekarno Hatta Airport (Jakarta) increased by 158.64 percent," the minister said.