Indonesia

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will continue with its investigation into the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project despite assurances from the President that there are no major problems with the debt of the project. KPK Deputy Chairman said the preliminary investigation, which began in early 2025, is still ongoing and will determine if any criminal elements, such as corruption involved in the project

The Presidential spokesperson confirmed that Indonesia is discussing a potential merger or acquisition between Grab and GoTo, with a decision expected soon

Indonesia’s Tourism Minister confirmed that Indonesia is set to meet its target of 16 million international arrivals in 2025, with 11.43 million recorded from Q1-Q3 2025, and domestic tourism of 901.9 million in the same period. Travel agencies and tour services grew +9.94% YoY, entertainment and recreation services by 9.92% YoY, transportation and warehousing +8.62% and accommodation, food & beverage by 8.41% YoY

Bali is preparing to manage the annual tides of plastic waste on popular tourist beaches ahead of the rainy season between Dec 2025 and Feb 2026. Bali Government Agencies are working to improve waste management systems to make sure all popular tourist beaches remain clean. Bali Governor said the plastic waste usually originates from East Java, with some even drifting from Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. Popular coastal destinations such as Jimbaran, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Canggu are usually affected by this

The Bali Governor met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Bulgaria to collaborate on building more sustainable tourism and education initiatives. The Deputy Minister said a delegation of 25 mayors from various cities in Bulgaria will visit Bali in Dec to explore opportunities for sister city cooperations. Indonesia and Bulgaria will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic friendship in 2026

Indonesia’s economy reached 5.04% in Q3 2025 vs 5.12% in Q2 2025. This could pose a challenge to the government’s target of 8% growth by 2029. Household spending reached 4.89% in Q3 2025 vs 4.97% in Q2 2025. Indonesia set a full-year target of 5.2% for 2025 and 5.4% in 2026

Indonesia reported 15 people, mostly children, were killed due to a flood in the easternmost Papua region, while 8 more children remain missing in another village. The disaster mitigation agency warned the residents of more floods following heavy rain in several areas of Papua. The local police chief said the search in the area has been challenging due to the conflict area status

The President proposed that the government allocate around 1.2 trillion IDR annually to cover the interest expenses of Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), citing the benefits of the high-speed train, such as reduced traffic congestion, lower pollution, and faster intercity travel. He added that a study will be conducted to explore extending the line to Banyuwangi

The Tourism Ministry and AirAsia MOVE organised a campaign called #MacamLokal from Jul–Oct 2025 to promote Indonesian destinations in Malaysia. The initiative recorded an increase of 2,636 Malaysian tourists, with a total of 68,000 tourists in 50 days, based on AirAsia MOVE’s data. The campaign featured a famtrip with Malaysian KOLs. AirAsia MOVE’s data showed that 74% of Malaysian travellers were aged 20–44, and many were interested in Indonesia’s indie cosmetic and fashion brands. During the campaign, over 5,300 users searched daily for flights from Malaysia to Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta through the platform. Malaysian visitors typically stayed 2–3 nights and spent around 730,000 IDR per night on accommodation. The Ministry also organised a famtrip with West Sumatra’s tourism board, Hotel Pangeran Beach Padang, and local partners under the Wonderful Indonesia Journey programme from 27–31 Oct. The trip involved seven Malaysian tour agents exploring Padang, Bukittinggi, and Alahan Panjang

The community and tourists of Bingin Beach voiced concerns over the debris from the demolition work of 40 buildings on the beachfront, which is polluting the area and causing public safety issues. The Badung Public Order Agency Chief said the demolition has been completed, and further arrangements will be handled by the relevant agencies. He added that they are waiting for additional budget approval for heavy equipment rental to resume the cleanup

The Bali Government has drafted a new law to regulate online taxi drivers following tensions between Balinese and non-Balinese drivers. The regulation will focus on the Implementation of Application-Based Special Rental Transportation Services (ASK) for Tourism. The legislation was signed on 28 Oct, pending approval from the Central Government

Indonesia recorded 1.39 million international tourist arrivals in Sep, a -7.33% MoM decline. From Jan–Sep 2025, the country received 11.43 million international visitors, a +10.22% YoY. The top countries in Sep are Malaysia with a 19.5% share of total arrivals, followed by Australia (11.97%) and Singapore (8.5%). Indonesia recorded 94.36 million domestic trips in Sep, to a total of 900.9 million trips from Jan–Sep 2025, +18.99% YoY

Agoda announced a new partnership with Archipelago International to unite Agoda’s data-driven marketing and distribution capabilities with Archipelago’s brand presence. Agoda’s data shows a 21% YoY increase in searches for travel to Indonesia. South Korean tourists recorded a 36% increase in searches, followed by Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and Japan. The popular destinations are Labuan Bajo and Medan, which recorded a 66% and 47% YoY increase in searches on Agoda, respectively. Archipelago International’s 193 properties are available on Agoda’s platform

New climbing fees for Mount Rinjani, West Nusa Tenggara province, will be implemented effectively from 3 Nov. However, those who reserved the tickets before the date of implementation can still pay the old rates. The revised rates are; First-class access to the main hiking routes (Sembalun, Senaru, and Torean) will cost 250,000 IDR ($15 USD) for foreign visitors; 50,000 IDR ($3 USD) on weekdays, and 75,000 IDR ($4.5 USD) on weekends for Indonesian citizens; and 25,000 IDR ($1.5 USD) for Indonesian students Second-class access to alternative hiking routes (Timbanuh, Aik Berik, and Tetebatu) will cost 200,000 IDR ($12 USD) for foreign visitors; 20,000 IDR ($1.2 USD) on weekdays, and 30,000 IDR ($1.8 USD) on weekends for Indonesian citizens; and 10,000 IDR ($0.6 USD) for Indonesian students Third-class tickets for 21 non-hiking attractions at Mount Rinjani will cost 150,000 IDR ($9 USD) for foreign visitors; 10,000 IDR on weekdays, and 15,000 IDR on weekends for Indonesian citizens; and 5,000 IDR for Indonesian students Training programs will be conducted for the 371 porters and guides who operate on the mountain

PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) has allocated 2.83 trillion IDR to fund road infrastructure projects in Badung Regency, Bali. The company said the funding is part of the road infrastructure development program by the Badung Regency under the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD 2025–2029), with a total investment worth 15 trillion IDR. 9 strategic road sections with a total length of 11.8km in North Kuta and South Kuta can begin immediately with the funds. This project is expected to help increase tax revenue from hotels and restaurants, reduce travel time and congestion, and offer job opportunities to the community

The Tourism Minister launched the Wonderful Indonesia Wellness (WIW) festival in Solo, Central Java, on 1 Oct. This event focused on 7 main wellness categories – namely, eco-nature tourism, herbal medicine, healthy cuisine, lifestyle and fitness, arts, spiritual healing, and spa and ethno spa – as the demand for wellness tourism increased among tourists. Indonesia ranked first in Southeast Asia for the wellness economy in 2023, with a value of $56.4 billion USD. WIW targets the sale of 5,000 travel packages and $520,000 USD in MSME transactions

The Jakarta Government will prepare against potential floods and landslides amid heavy rain in the city. The Parks Office will monitor large trees in Jakarta and carry out pruning to prevent trees from falling amid strong winds. The Governor said they have prepared 600 water pumps to handle floods

Danantara defended the appointment of foreigners as directors in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), calling it based on professional merit. Managing Director for Stakeholder Management and Communication at Danantara said that as long as foreign professionals are not from a political background of their respective country of origin, their presence will not have a conflict with national interests

Jakarta is aiming to become a “city of cinema” by 2027 as part of an effort to promote tourism. Jakarta will attract film production to grow its creative economy and attract international investment. Jakarta opened its first pavilion at the Cannes Film Market in May and launched a new website to promote filming locations in the city, as well as a Film Commission to serve as a one-stop agency for filmmakers. Film tourism is expected to reach $128.2 billion USD globally by 2032. A report by Photoaid shows that 78% of travellers are likely to book a film tourism trip

Bali authorities have issued a suspension order for the construction of a 182-meter glass elevator on the cliff of Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida, Klungkung, following concerns over environmental impact and regulatory violations. Police will ensure that no construction activities take place in the area due to a lack of permits, including disaster mitigation and work safety, as well as the failure to incorporate a Bali-style design. The project owner, PT Bangun Nusa Properti, defended the project, stating that it received legal approval in 2023, completed the required site assessments, and secured 200 billion IDR in investment, including 60 billion IDR for the elevator

Bali confirmed the installation of 3 new tsunami early warning systems to protect the community and tourists as part of the Indonesia Disaster Resilience Initiatives Project (IDRIP) program. The systems were installed in Penyaringan Village, Yeh Kuning Village, and Pengambengan Village

The Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO) elected Pauline Suharno unanimously as chairperson for the 2025-2029 period, her second term

Malaysia and Indonesia will form a joint immigration enforcement task force (JIETF) to collaborate in immigration management, border control, and law enforcement to increase cross-border security and mobility. This was agreed in a meeting that took place in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

The House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VII has urged InJourney Group to strengthen collaboration among its subsidiaries to develop an integrated health tourism system. The Head of Commission VII said there has been no concrete evidence of integration between InJourney’s aviation, hospitality, and tourism subsidiaries. She urged InJourney to focus on enhancing supporting facilities — including patient shuttle services, medical guidance during and after treatment, and accommodations managed by its subsidiaries. The Commission believes these efforts will enable Bali International Hospital to operate more effectively

Indonesia and the US will resume talks on tariffs in Nov after the APEC Summit in South Korea, which both the US and Indonesian Presidents have scheduled to attend. It was postponed following the government shutdown in the US. The Coordinating Economy Minister said they have discussed offering a zero tariff on products which cannot be produced in the US, such as palm oil, cocoa, and rubber. The proposed agreement will include a 99% tariff elimination for US products entering Indonesia and a 19% tariff on Indonesian goods exported to the US. They also requested exemptions for important commodities as part of the supply chains, such as in the medical industry

The 6th edition of Further East will be held from 3-6 Nov in Seminyak, Bali. The event is expected to host more than 600 delegates and introduce programs to improve stronger connections. This program will bring global travel buyers to meet brands in the Asia Pacific

Bali is taking steps to protect the environment and bring benefits to the tourists following the worst flooding in over 70 years. As part of the re-greening landscapes, the Badung Regency Government and the community collaborated to clean up local rivers and plant 4,400 tree saplings. This event also commemorates Rahina Tumpek Wariga Day, a holy day in Hinduism dedicated to honouring the plants

The Tourism Minister said Gen Z and millennials have become the new driving force behind the global tourism growth, showing a high interest in tourism. They are also using content creators' reviews of tourist destinations and even use generative artificial intelligence (AI) to plan trips. 52% of Gen Z is willing to spend more on travel experiences, compared to previous generations, such as Baby Boomers (at 29%). She said an experience-based digital approach can help to bring Indonesia to a global scale, taking example of the globally-known Pacu Jalu event, part of the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) 2025

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating alleged corruption in the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway (HSR) Whoosh following the debt from the project. A KPK spokesperson said the investigation is in the early stages. A spokesperson from PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) said they will cooperate with the KPK in the investigation. The operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) recorded 2.23 trillion IDR in losses from the project in 2024

The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Governor is exploring potential collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery to promote NTB’s tourism globally. He said discussions are underway to leverage suitable intellectual properties (IPs) from Warner Bros to promote Lombok and Sumbawa. NTB is also advancing its Meetings, Incentives, Sports, and Events (MISE) program. The collaboration could include film production, sports tourism, and global-scale thematic events. He added that Warner Bros owns sports-related IPs such as Ocean Rise and Golden Real, which could be adopted for NTB. In addition, the company’s networks, including CNN and Eurosport, could help organise events and enhance NTB’s international visibility

The Lux Collective and Big Waves Development signed a hotel management agreement for SALT of Virgin Beach in the Karangasem region, Bali. The property is set to open in Q1 2028 and will be the first in Indonesia under the SALT brand. SALT of Virgin Beach is designed for eco-travellers and integrates sustainability initiatives, including coral reef restoration, plastic-free operations, waste separation, and the use of sulfate-free products

The Indonesia Business Event Mart (IBEM) will be held from 28-31 Jul 2026 at the Jakarta International Convention Centre. The event will focus on B2B business meetings, exhibitions, networking, and knowledge sessions. The event will be co-organised by TTG Asia Media and ENCPRO. They are targeting 200 booths, including 70% domestic and 30% international booths, and 220 invited buyers. The business events sector in Indonesia is expected to reach $7.414 billion USD by 2032, with a CAGR of 13.8% between 2024-2032. Jakarta is expected to host 1,500 international events in 2025, complemented by participation of 100,000 SMEs in Indonesia and over 9 million domestic visitors to business events

The Bali Tourism Levy collection reached 309 billion IDR YTD as of Oct. The Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office confirmed that from Jan-Sep 2025, 5.5 million international tourists have visited Bali. Based on this data, only 36% of eligible international tourists to Bali have paid the fee, slightly higher than 32% in 2024. This increase is attributed to the collaboration between the Bali Government and private businesses, which can act as payment centres for the visitors. Under this collaboration, the businesses can receive a 3% commission per tourist

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will advise its members not to host any events in Indonesia after Indonesia did not grant visas for Israeli athletes to compete in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta. The IOC Executive Board decided to end any dialogue with the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia on hosting future editions of the Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, Olympic events or conferences

Jakarta Governor announced plans to transform lands under toll roads and other idle areas into 300 child-friendly parks across Jakarta. Experts welcomed this move and said this is the only feasible way to expand green areas in Jakarta with limited land availability. Jakarta is estimated to need more than 90km2 of public green space to reach the 20% green space target under the 2007 Spatial Planning Law

The Tourism Minister launched “Wisata Rasa di Bumi Pasundan” (Flavours of Pasundan), a book to promote gastronomy in West Java. Governments, industry players, gastronomy communities, academics, and creative consultants helped to compile this book. She highlighted that TasteAtlas ranked Indonesia at the 7th place worldwide and the first in Southeast Asia for its cuisine. Bandung is listed among the world’s top 100 food destinations. Booking.com’s “Taste of Home Asia Pacific” survey shows: 93% of Indonesian travellers said food plays an important role in their travel plans, while 75% choose destinations based on culinary appeal 35% Indonesians choose private villas for a relaxing dining experience, while the remaining choose homestays, glamping, and farm stays 50% of travellers dine at local restaurants and 23% choose accommodations which provide better access to local cuisine

Communities in Sanur are protesting against plans for a Floating Storage Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal near Sidakarya, South Denpasar. They raised concern over the project's close proximity of 3.5km from the shore, which could have potential effects on social, cultural, and environmental aspects of coastal areas in Sanur and Serangan. Previous FSRU projects in other locations are located beyond 15km distance. The Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Denpasar voiced concern that this project could threaten Bali’s tourism image, which heavily relies on its natural beauty and culture to attract visitors

Indonesia recorded 14.85 million foreign visitors, +12.32% YoY and 1.15 billion domestic trips, +21.69% YoY, from Sep 2024 to Aug 2025. The tourism sector contributed 3.9% to the GDP in Q1 2025 and created 25.88 million jobs, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The “Event by Indonesia” program helped to generate 11 trillion IDR in economic activity in 2024. Indonesia has developed 6,153 tourism villages

The President announced a proposal to construct the 535km long Giant Sea Wall National Strategic Project along Pantura, the north coast of Java, to protect 50 million people from rising sea levels. Sea level is rising around 5cm per year due to the impact of climate change, and this could threaten 60% of the industry located on the north coast of Java. The financing will focus on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP)

The Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development said the government will not oppose Danantara’s effort to resolve the debt of the Whoosh high-speed rail project by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC). He said the government is looking at several options, including government financing and options to allow Danantara to take over the payment responsibility. Finance Minister said Danantara has the capacity to manage the payment without relying on the state budget

The Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI) expressed concerns over the provision recognising GIPI being removed during an amendment to Tourism Law No. 10 of 2009 on 2 Oct. GIPI Chairman said they are disappointed with this removal, which was done without a discussion, despite GIPI having proven to contribute to the tourism development in Indonesia. GIPI also highlighted insufficient funding for tourism and blamed the government revenue for not reinvesting in the development of the tourism industry. GIPI proposed to create a Tourism Public Service Agency (BLU) to collect and manage levies from international tourists for the promotion and destination development. However, the government take over the BLU concept and collects the levies as revenue for the central government, rather than supporting industry programs. The Tourism Minister assured that the revised law includes a clause allowing all tourism business operators to form and join tourism associations. She added that partnerships could be regulated through executive regulations or other mechanisms

Indonesia is attracting Australian tourists by positioning itself as an edutourism destination. The Tourism Ministry and Indonesian consulates in Australia organised a famtrip under the theme “Archipelago Gems: Islands of Ancient Souls” from 15-20 Oct, involving 15 participants from educational institutions, travel agents, and education associations in Australia. They were separated into two groups, the first group with 9 participants visited Yogyakarta and Jakarta, while the remaining 6 visited Yogyakarta and Bali

The Tourism Minister set a target to turn Penyengat Island in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, into a leading halal and Muslim destination in ASEAN. In Jul 2025, a halal tourism pilot project was launched in 20 tourism villages across Indonesia, including Penyengat. As of 15 Oct, 438 MSME products from these tourism villages have received halal certification. The Tourism Minister presented halal certificates to 24 local MSMEs on the island during her visit. The Ministry, in collaboration with the Halal Product Assurance Organising Body (BPJPH), will expand the program to 1,500 tourism villages in 15 provinces as part of the Indonesia Muslim Travel Index 2025

Bali Governor ordered to create integrated support units and 24-hour tourist service posts at popular tourism destinations. The agencies which will be involved in this service are Satpol PP (civil police teams), police, health agencies, Disaster Management Agency (DPBD), Search and Rescue Agency (BARNARNAS), and the provincial tourism office. The Bali Governor said this initiative aims to help make Bali “more trusted and respected internationally”. He added that, Bali Government is working on a digital app to offer integrated services between the new tourism command posts and support units. The Head of the Bali Tourism Office said the island recorded 5.6 million international arrivals from Jan-Sep 2025, with Australia, China, and India remaining the top source markets. He added that 81 tourist spots will be equipped with a real-time weather information system in collaboration with the BMKG. He also said that 1,185 immigration actions were taken and 406 people were deported in 2025. There were also 144 cases involving foreign victims, mostly related to accidents and violent acts

The Finance Minister said the government will not offer support to cover debt incurred in the construction of the high-speed railway, Whoosh. Dividends from SOEs reached over 80 trillion IDR ($4.8 billion USD) in the past two years, and used to be transferred directly to the state budget and booked as state revenue. Now, the dividends will be managed by Danantara, which was launched in early 2025. The cost overrun for the project is estimated to have brought the budget from $6 billion to $7.2 billion USD. China Development Bank’s loan covered 75% of the cost, while the consortium which owns the company contributed the rest. The consortium by PT Pilar Sinergi BUMN Indonesia (PSBI) contributed 60% for the rest of the cost and Beijing Yawan HSR Co. Ltd. contributed the remaining 40%. Whoosh sold 6.06 million tickets in 2024, about 1.5 trillion IDR in gross profit

The Coalition of Trade Unions and the Labour Party (KSP-PB) has put a demand for an 8.5%-10% increase in the minimum wage in 2026, higher than the 6.5% hike announced by the President. The Labour Party President said the inflation rate over the past 12 months recorded between 3%-3.26%, while the economy recorded 5.2% growth. The Manpower Minister said that the government is conducting a study on planned wage increase for 2025, and discussions are ongoing with stakeholders. The provincial minimum wage will be decided on 1 Nov and fore regencies or cities on 1 Dec

A new proposed development project called Marina Bay City, spanning over 149 ha in Buwun Mas, Lombok, has sparked hope and concern among the residents. The village chief of Buwun Mas said investors have bought land and promised to develop, but they only ended up abandoning it in the past. But he expressed hope since the construction for the Marina Bay City project has actually begun, and hopes it will benefit the locals who will be involved as workers, partners, and beneficiaries. However, projects like this often leaves residents fearing cultural change, environmental damage, and locals being left out in the development. The nearby Mandalika Resort development was accused of forced evictions without proper compensation for the Sasak families. Similarly, in Tanjung Ann, near Mandalika, a proposal to demolish family-run surf schools, restaurants, and food stalls for luxury hotels has triggered backlash from the public. Marina Bay’s investors vowed to avoid these mistakes, and they have acquired 35 ha of land out of 150 ha. The developers are expecting to get final permits soon, as the foundation for the villas has been placed. The CEO of the project said they have incorporated sustainability features such as waste-to-energy systems, solar-powered transport, electric vehicle charging stations, and community farms. He also promised to offer fair-wage jobs for the locals, scholarships for teachers, and a commitment to hire workers from the village

Danantara expects annual dividends to reach up to $10 billion USD in the coming years. Dananatara currently has $1 trillion USD in assets, with annual dividends reaching $7 billion. Danantara has taken over 1,000 state companies. The Tourism Ministry organised a fam trip for 45 travel agents and tour operators from Europe, Middle East, and the Americas

The Tourism Minister said the ministry’s Karisma Event Nusantara program, which involved 95,000 event workers and engaged with 14,800 SMEs, helped to attract 10.8 million visitors with an economic turnover of 11.82 trillion IDR

The tourism industry contributed 4% to GDP in 2024, vs 3.9% in 2023, according to the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs. International arrivals have reached 10.04 million from Jan-Aug 2025, +10.4% YoY, and domestic trips reached 807.6 million, +20% YoY. He added that the tourism receipts have reached 11.82 trillion IDR. The Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Fair (WITF) 2025 recorded 300 exhibitors and 200 buyers from 40 countries

The Culture Minister advised museums to adopt technology, immersive exhibitions, and video mapping to attract more visitors. There are 481 museums across Indonesia, including 196 managed by regional governments, 118 museums by the central government, 166 by private parties, and 1 by a customary law community. Under the 2026 Non-Physical Special Allocation Fund, 150 billion (around $9 million USD) will be allocated to 111 museums and 29 cultural centres in various regions

The Forestry Minister reported that forest and land fires across Indonesia have dropped in 2025 compared to 2024. 213,984 ha of forests were affected by wildfires in 2025, -43.2% YoY, while peatland fires affected 24,212 ha, and mineral land fires affected 189,772 ha. A total of 2,248 hotspots were detected from 1 Jan-26 Sep, -23.9% YoY

The Minister of State Secretary said the government is determined to continue the Whoosh high-speed train project until Surabaya, despite debt burden faced by the operator, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC)