Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Indonesia tourism sector recorded foreign exchange earnings of USD $7.46 billion (approximately IDR 113 trillion) in revenue by July 2024, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf).
This earning has exceeded the lower-endtarget set for the year, with the full-year target for foreign exchange earnings ranges from USD $7.38 billion to USD $13.08 billion.
Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Angela Herliani Tanoesoedibjo, revealed the figures during the “Wonderful Indonesia Outlook 2024/2025” event on Thursday, September 19, 2024.
“Tourism foreign exchange earnings have reached USD $7.46 billion, while the added value of the creative economy is estimated to hit IDR 749.58 trillion,” Angela said.
By July 2024, Indonesia had welcomed at least 7.75 million international tourists, marking a 20.75% increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, domestic tourists undertook more than 598 million trips during the same timeframe.
Positive growth was also seen in the export of creative products. Angela noted that creative product exports reached USD $12.36 billion by July 2024. She emphasized that these results demonstrate the resilience and forward momentum of Indonesia’s tourism and creative economy sectors, despite global uncertainties.
The ministry has set a target of $27.53 billion for creative product exports in 2024. In addition, international tourist arrivals are expected to range between 9.5 million and 14.3 million, while domestic tourists is projected to reach between 1.2 billion and 1.5 billion trips.
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Angela added that, based on the 2024-2025 Expert Survey Outlook, future tourism growth will depend on economic stability and the development of high-quality, innovative destinations. The creative economy’s growth, in turn, will hinge on innovation, creativity, and collaboration across subsectors.
Tourism trends are increasingly focusing on conscious and impactful travel. Angela highlighted that travelers now seek more inspiring experiences, favoring “trip like a local” journeys where they can explore destinations through the eyes of locals.
In the creative economy, the role of social media in promotion and branding continues to expand. According to Angela, two critical factors in responding to these trends are sustainability and technology.
She emphasized that sustainable tourism practices are no longer optional but essential.
“Technological advancements should not be seen as substitutes, but rather as new opportunities and enable for achieving a competitive and high-quality tourism sector,” Angela concluded.
(Raidi/Agung)
