Jakarta. Indonesia’s tourism sector recorded strong growth during the first year of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, with both foreign and domestic travel showing double-digit increases, the government said on Monday.

Between September 2024 and August 2025, the number of international tourist arrivals rose 12.32 percent year-on-year to 14.85 million, while domestic trips surged 21.69 percent to 1.15 billion, according to official data.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said the results reflect Indonesia’s recovery as a key driver of inclusive and community-based economic growth.

“These achievements show that tourism has once again become a major pillar of the people’s economy -- with higher quality and greater value added. Our focus is not only on the number of visitors, but also on the value each journey contributes,” Widiyanti said in a statement marking the first anniversary of the Prabowo administration.

Tourism currently contributes 3.9 percent to Indonesia’s GDP, based on preliminary data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) for the first quarter of 2025, and supports more than 25.88 million jobs, according to BPS data from February.

Widiyanti stressed that tourism plays a strategic role in creating new jobs, strengthening local economic resilience, and promoting inclusive development across regions.

The ministry continues to expand flagship programs with direct community and industry impact, including Clean Tourism Movement, Tourism 5.0, Event by Indonesia, and the Tourism Village Initiative. The Event by Indonesia program alone generated over Rp 11 trillion ($700 million) in economic activity over the past year.

Indonesia has also developed 6,153 tourism villages, enhancing community-based destinations and promoting regional economic equality.

Over the past year, Indonesia’s tourism achievements have also gained global recognition, winning 143 international awards, including the UN Tourism Best Tourism Village, ASEAN Tourism Awards for 15 villages, 33 hotels receiving Michelin Keys, and Bali’s designation as “Best Island in Asia 2025” by Condé Nast Traveller.

Widiyanti said the ministry has strengthened cross-sector cooperation and international partnerships with the United Arab Emirates, China, and France to attract more investment and expand Indonesia’s global tourism market.

“One year of the Red-and-White Cabinet has proven that cross-sector synergy is key. We are building tourism that is sustainable, high-quality, and delivers real impact for the people,” she said.

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