Indonesia Welcomes International Tourism in 2025 with Grand Opening Ceremonies in Kepulauan Riau, Bali, and Jakarta
SHNet, Jakarta – The Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) in collaboration with PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia (InJourney Airports), Garuda Indonesia, and Local Government Authorities celebrated the arrival of the first international tourists (wisman) in Indonesia at three major gateways: Kepulauan Riau, Bali, and Jakarta.
Ministry of Tourism Takes Proactive Steps to Boost Tourism
Moh. Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Minister of Tourism, announced in Jakarta on January 2, 2025, that these opening ceremonies signify the nation’s readiness to welcome more international tourists in 2025.
“Our aim is to showcase unity between the Ministry of Tourism and related stakeholders to ensure the continuity of tourism support post-pandemic,” stated Minister Widiyanti.
Strategic Targets for 2025
In 2025, the Ministry of Tourism aims to welcome up to 14.6 million to 16 million international tourists and 1.08 billion domestic tourists.
“Through collaboration, let us strive to make Indonesia a sustainable tourism destination that positively impacts society, is inclusive, and competes globally,” emphasized Minister Widiyanti.
Grand Opening Ceremony in Kepulauan Riau
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ni Luh Puspa, hosted and personally greeted the first tourists of the new year arriving at Bandar Bentan Telani, Lagoi, Bintan, at 8:10 AM WIB on January 1, 2025.
In addition to Ni Luh Puspa, attendees included officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Nusantara Tourism Marketing Director, Governor of Kepulauan Riau and his entourage, Bupati Bintan, Head of Culture and Tourism Department of Bintan Regency, and other tourism stakeholders from Kepulauan Riau.
Ni Luh expressed optimism about achieving the target for international tourist arrivals throughout the year.
“Our province’s role and strategic location, bordering Singapore and Malaysia, position Kepulauan Riau as one of the major arrivals points for international tourists in Indonesia after Bali and Jakarta, alongside its beautiful beaches and rich cultural heritage,” she said.
Ni Luh added that she hopes the length of stay for tourists will increase, resulting in higher spending. Developing diverse tourist attractions is a priority, and she is confident the target for international tourist arrivals will be met.
Bali’s Welcoming Ceremony
The welcoming ceremony for international tourists at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai (IGNR) International Airport was conducted for travelers from Australia, flying Garuda Indonesia Airlines flight GA719.
Deputy Director of Marketing, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, alongside InJourney Airports Director of Human Resources and Digital, Herdy Harman, and Garuda Indonesia Branch General Manager in Denpasar, Ade Nurman, participated in the event.
To date, air entry points account for 70% of total tourist arrivals. The I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport held the highest number with 5.2 million arrivals, followed by Soekarno-Hatta International Airport with 2.1 million.
Ni Made Ayu Marthini also stated that GA719 carried 259 passengers, predominantly Australians, with a seat load factor exceeding 90% of the total seat capacity of 287.
Opening Ceremony in Jakarta
A similar welcoming ceremony was held at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. InJourney Airports collaborated with the event, alongside Perwakilan Kementerian Pariwisata, Customer Experience Group Head InJourney, and Regional CEO of InJourney Airports.
The opening ceremony began when flight JL729 from Narita, Japan touched down at 11:55 PM WIB, carrying 144 passengers.
The event highlighted a sincere welcome to provide a positive first impression and enhance Indonesia’s reputation as a welcoming tourism destination.
(Stevani Elisabeth)
Conclusion
The grand opening ceremonies in Kepulauan Riau, Bali, and Jakarta symbolize Indonesia’s zeal in welcoming international tourists post-pandemic. These events demonstrate the joint efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, local authorities, and major stakeholders to achieve significant tourism targets and restore Indonesia’s status as a desirable tourist destination.
Your Thoughts?
We value your feedback and insights. Please share your thoughts and experiences regarding Indonesia’s tourism industry in the comments below. Subscribing to our newsletter will ensure you receive the latest updates and exclusive stories. Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this article on your social media to reach more people.
