-
With India’s outbound travel market expanding rapidly, Indonesia is clearly positioning itself as a preferred Southeast Asian destination
-
The Ministry’s focused engagement in Chennai and Mumbai signals a long-term commitment to deepening tourism cooperation between the two countries
Indonesia is strengthening its tourism ties with India through focused marketing efforts and direct engagement with the Indian travel trade. The Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia is stepping up its presence with two key initiatives: a Sales Mission in Chennai and participation in Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026 in Mumbai, held from February 5 to 7.
These efforts underline Indonesia’s growing interest in the Indian market, which has emerged as one of its most promising sources of overseas visitors. The Ministry aims to attract around 40,000 Indian tourists in 2026, with potential tourism-related business estimated at IDR 48 billion.
The Sales Mission in Chennai on February 3, 2026, was a strategic move to tap into southern India’s strong outbound travel potential. Chennai, with its large middle-class population and rising interest in international travel, is seen as an ideal market. Indian travellers from the region are showing increasing demand for leisure holidays, wellness retreats, spiritual journeys and corporate travel, all areas where Indonesia has strong offerings.
The Chennai event brought together Indonesian tourism representatives with Indian travel agents, destination management companies and hotel partners. The focus was on building long-term partnerships rather than short-term promotions, with customised travel experiences for Indian visitors taking centre stage.
Following Chennai, Indonesia showcased its tourism strength at OTM Mumbai, one of India’s largest travel trade exhibitions. The Indonesian delegation included 30 tourism stakeholders, such as destination management companies, travel agents, hotels, restaurants and a major tourist attraction. This wide mix reflects Indonesia’s readiness to cater to different budgets and travel styles, from luxury holidays to affordable family trips.
India has steadily grown in importance for Indonesian tourism. In 2024, it ranked as the sixth-largest source of foreign tourists to the country. In 2025, over 734,000 Indian visitors travelled to Indonesia, marking a steady year-on-year increase. Indian travellers are drawn to Indonesia’s mix of beaches, culture, spirituality and adventure.
Destinations such as Bali, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Lombok and Komodo Island continue to appeal strongly to Indian tourists. Wellness tourism, including yoga and retreat experiences in places like Ubud, is also gaining popularity. At the same time, Indonesia is positioning itself as a competitive destination for meetings, conferences and incentive travel, supported by modern venues and improving infrastructure.
These tourism efforts are backed by support from the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai, along with steps to improve connectivity and ease travel processes.
