Roundup: Indonesia ramps up global tourism promotion to attract more int'l tourists
Last year, Indonesia received around 14 million foreign tourists, while Singapore welcomed 16.5 million, Malaysia 25 million, Vietnam 17.6 million, and Thailand 35.5 million.
According to data from Statistics Indonesia, the majority of foreign tourists in 2024 came from Malaysia, followed by Australia, Singapore, China, and Timor-Leste.
This year, the country is targeting 14 to 16 million foreign tourist arrivals to boost foreign exchange and encourage economic growth through the tourism sector. Several popular tourist destinations in Indonesia, including the island resort of Bali, the Borobudur Temple in Central Java, and Raja Ampat in the easternmost region of Papua, all offer stunning views.
Meanwhile, some of the leading entry points for foreign tourists to Indonesia are Batam in the Riau Islands Province, located near Singapore and Malaysia, as well as Bali and Jakarta.
In a bid to increase the global competitiveness of Indonesian tourism, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said recently that the government is committed to further strengthening its promotional efforts in international markets.
Moreover, the ministry has undertaken several diplomatic initiatives to boost the country's tourism industry. Late last month, Indonesia's Tourism Ministry and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation.
"The MoU is expected to increase the exchange of visits between the two countries, specifically through facilitating promotional activities carried out by the government and business actors," Wardhana said last week at the ministry.
She added that advancing the Indonesian tourism industry requires a strong spirit of collaboration and collective commitment among ministries, institutions, and friendly countries, with the hope that tourism can become an economic and social force that benefits the entire community.
Indonesia also held bilateral meetings with several countries during the 123rd session of the UN Tourism Executive Council, which took place in Spain late last month. The ministry discussed collaboration opportunities with several nations, including Spain, India, Mexico, and Tunisia, during the forum.
"We will continue to move forward with the principles of sustainability, inclusiveness, and global competitiveness, while ensuring that the growth of this sector aligns with efforts to preserve culture and the environment," she added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
25 minutes ago
- The Star
Digital payments to surge in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Digital payment adoption is set to surge in Malaysia, with more consumers likely to use emerging digital payment methods in the next year, a new research conducted by Mastercard showed. The research, which surveyed consumers across the globe on payment preferences, has found that some 63 percent of Malaysian consumers prefer using new and innovative methods such as Tap & Go mobile payments, biometric payments, QR codes and mobile wallets, over traditional methods like cash or manual card entry, reflecting a widespread appetite for innovation. The research showed that Malaysian consumers are among the most enthusiastic to embrace payment innovation, as 93 percent are likely to use five or more payment methods in the next 12 months. While cash is still Malaysia's most used payment method, 70 percent of consumers used it in the last year, narrowly edging out QR code payments with 64 percent, usage of digital payment methods is set to rise in the next year. This preference for innovation applies to other emerging technologies as well, with 89 percent of Malaysian consumers saying they are keen to use artificial intelligence (AI) to manage their finances, particularly for fraud detection, payment automation, product personalization, and predicting financial outcomes. Meanwhile, as payment options grow, consumers are seeking hyper-convenient ways to manage money that fit seamlessly with their digital usage habits, the research revealed. It highlighted they want flexibility to customize how they pay, tapping into digitally native methods like peer-to-peer or peer-to-merchant payments, QR codes, wearables, and social commerce. "These findings reaffirm that the digital evolution in payments has firmly taken center stage in Malaysia. With digital-first and mobile-first lifestyles shaping consumer behavior, innovation and security in payments will be key to sustaining this momentum," said Beena Pothen, country manager of Malaysia & Brunei at Mastercard.
The Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Sun
VinFast launches all-electric VF 7 suv in Indonesia
JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 July 2025 - VinFast today officially introduced and began sales of the VF 7, a C-segment all-electric SUV with right-hand drive, in Indonesia. The VF 7 marks the fifth model in VinFast's lineup for the archipelago nation, solidifying the Company's position as a leader with one of the most diverse ranges of EVs. The VF 7 aims to offer a well-rounded experience for urban Indonesian users, combining a thoughtful design, modern technology, solid performance, and accessible price. The VF 7 is making its debut in its third market with two distinct versions: the VF 7 Eco and the VF 7 Plus. In Indonesia, the VinFast VF 7 Eco is priced from IDR 499,000,000 (on-the-road, battery included), while the Plus version is offered at IDR 599,000,000 (on-the-road, battery included). An early bird price of IDR 468,000,000 for the Eco and IDR 568,000,000 for the Plus will apply to the first 200 customers who receive delivery, or to those who take delivery by September 1, 2025 (whichever comes first). VinFast also applies complimentary charging at VinFast stations operated by the global charging station development company V-GREEN until March 1, 2028. In terms of after-sales, the VF 7 is backed by one of the best warranty policies in its segment, offering a vehicle warranty of 10 years or 200,000 km (whichever comes first). Customers can place orders for the VF 7 at VinFast's nationwide dealership showrooms or directly at the Company's booth at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2025, which opens for public from July 24 to August 3. The first VF 7 vehicles are expected to be delivered to Indonesian customers this year. VinFast will also bring a variety of attractive promotional programs to GIIAS 2025. For the latest VF 7 model, the first 125 customers who place an order at the event will receive a voucher worth IDR 7,000,000, redeemable for flight tickets at (the gift will be presented at the time of vehicle delivery). Customers purchasing the VF 3 will receive accessory upgrade voucher valued at up to IDR 5,000,000 and VF 5 customer get upgrade to light alloy wheels. Meanwhile, those ordering the VF e34 or VF 6 will be offered travel vouchers worth up to IDR 6,000,000. Mr. Kariyanto Hardjosoemarto, CEO of VinFast Indonesia, shared, 'We are immensely proud to mark a significant milestone in the Indonesian market today. With the launch of our fifth model, VinFast is rapidly establishing the most diverse all-electric product range in the archipelago. By leveraging our versatile product lineup and comprehensive 'For a Green Future' ecosystem, we aim to meet every transportation and financial need while powerfully inspiring the shift toward green mobility in Indonesia, creating a sustainable and prosperous future.' Both VF 7 Plus and VF 7 Eco feature the 'Asymmetric Aerospace' design language, penned by the renowned Italian studio Torino Design. This aesthetic vision embodies freedom, technology, and a forward-thinking, individualistic style. The VF 7's exterior is defined by the signature VinFast 'V' LED light strips at the front and rear, creating an unmistakable visual identity. A sloping coupe-style roof, large wheel arches, and alloy wheels up to 19 inches in size contribute to its powerful and athletic stance. With optimal dimensions (4,545 mm length, 2,840 mm wheelbase, 1,890 mm width, 1,635.75 mm height, and 190 mm ground clearance), the VF 7 offers a spacious, airy cabin with premium leather-upholstered seats. The interior is driver-centric, highlighted by a 12.9-inch touchscreen, a heads-up display (HUD), a unique two-tone D-cut steering wheel, and gear selector buttons that evoke the elegance of piano keys. The VF 7 offers a choice of five exterior and two interior colors, with the Plus version featuring a two-tone interior palette for personalized style (For accurate details and availability, please check with your local dealers). In terms of performance, the VinFast VF 7 Plus is equipped with two electric motors delivering a maximum total output of 260 kW (equivalent to 349 horsepower) and 500 Nm of peak torque. Its all-wheel-drive system makes it one of the most powerful vehicles in its class. Paired with a 70.8 kWh battery, the car boasts a maximum range of up to 471 km per full charge (NEDC standard). The VF 7 Eco, meanwhile, features a single electric motor with a maximum output of 130 kW (174 horsepower), 250 Nm of peak torque, and a 59.6 kWh battery, allowing for a maximum range of 430 km per full charge (NEDC standard). The Plus model is ready for long-distance travel and speed enthusiasts, while the Eco model is a stylish, versatile choice for urban commutes. The VF 7's commitment to safety is underscored by its 7 airbags and a full suite of advanced active safety systems, including Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Roll Over Mitigation (ROM). The Plus version further elevates the driving experience with an advanced ADAS package, including 17 advanced features including: Highway Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Auto Lane Changing Assist, Emergency Braking and 360 Surround View Monitoring. VinFast will also provide complimentary over-the-air (OTA) updates for additional features, ensuring the vehicle is always equipped with the latest technology. VinFast's rapid expansion in Indonesia, encompassing popular segments from the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, VF e34 to the VF 7. The products are supported by attractive sales and after-sales policies, including free charging at V-GREEN stations, and 0% interest financing. VinFast is also actively collaborating with dealership, service center, and banking partners to make green transportation accessible to all./.
The Star
36 minutes ago
- The Star
Chinese automakers unveil new models at Indonesia auto show
JAKARTA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese automakers on Wednesday unveiled new electric vehicle (EV) models in Indonesia, as demand for EVs continued to grow across the Southeast Asian country. At the GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), held in Tangerang, Banten province, Chinese automaker BYD launched its Atto 1 model, known as Seagull or Dolphin Mini in China. "This is the first Atto 1 in Southeast Asia. We're offering it in two variants: Dynamic and Premium," said BYD Indonesia Operations Director Nathan Sun during the launch. Meanwhile, Wuling introduced a new multi-purpose vehicle designed for both family and business use, called the Cortez Darion. The Cortez Darion will be available in two versions: a plug-in hybrid and a full battery electric vehicle. The 2025 GIIAS officially opened on Wednesday, with public days scheduled from July 24 to Aug. 3.
