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What will Indonesia's new laws mean for tourists and visitors, and why are there concerns around its unmarried sex ban?

Topic: Law, Crime and Justice

Indonesia's national tourism board worries visitors may rethink their travel plans due to the new criminal code. ( AP: Firdia Lisnawati )

Tourists may have concerns about Indonesia's new criminal code that includes a ban on sex outside of marriage, but experts say travellers likely will not have to worry too much about some of the new laws.

Key points:

• DFAT has added the new laws to their travel advice for Indonesia, but did not raise the risk level
• Experts say the unmarried sex ban is not likely to be much of an issue for tourists
• Parts of the new code target drunken and loud behaviour, and make disrespecting holy places punishable with jail time

That's despite the controversial revisions of the colonial-era penal code that are leaving some in the tourism industry worried travellers may be deterred from visiting.

With foreign arrivals to Bali expected to reach pre-pandemic levels of 6 million by 2025, Indonesia's national tourism board has described the new code as "totally counterproductive".

But others are less concerned about any crackdown in Indonesia, a nation of 17,000 islands where citizens predominantly practise a moderate version of Islam.

There have been protests against Indonesia's new criminal code across the country. ( AP Photo: Slamet Riyadi )

Arie Ermawati — manager of Bali's Oberoi Hotel — said he didn't expect many problems from the new rules.

"The regulation just makes it clearer than what we have at the moment, that only certain people have the right to lodge a complaint," he said.

"We are not worried and don't feel that it will impact our business."

The changes to the criminal code will take up to three years to come into effect, and could still be challenged in the courts.

Sex rules unlikely to trouble tourists

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has added the new laws to their travel advice for Indonesia, but did not raise the risk level.

"Indonesian parliament has passed revisions to its criminal code, which includes penalties for cohabitation and sex outside of marriage," DFAT said on its website.

"These revisions will not come into force for three years.

"You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling."

The new criminal code was passed in parliament on December 6 but won't be in effect for up to three years. ( Reuters: Willy Kurniawan )

The head of tourism in Badung, which covers popular tourist areas Kuta and Nusa Dua, said foreigners should not be concerned.

"All tourists who are currently here already or potential tourists don't need to worry because they will still be treated as usual," I Nyoman Rudiarta told Detik News.

"There will be no sweeping legal action against tourists."

Handy Heryudhitawan, the general manager of Bali's main airport, said international flights, including from Australia, were continuing to operate normally.

Simon Butt — a professor and director of the centre for Asian and Pacific law at the University of Sydney's law school — said the sex ban for unmarried couples was unlikely to affect tourists.

"Provided that no such complaints are made to Indonesian police," Professor Butt warned.

"Police cannot proceed with investigating adultery or cohabitation without a complaint.

"Not just anyone can make a complaint."

And, until the new code comes in, Indonesia's existing ban on adultery, but not premarital sex, remains in place. 

Ken Setiawan — from the the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne — said that, because a report could only be filed by family members, it reduced the risk of tourists being charged.

"There is a limitation as to who can file the report," Professor Setiawan told the ABC.

"Those limitations are there. That does decrease the risk that foreigners would be prosecuted."

However, if people are prosecuted, they would face up to a year in jail or a maximum fine of 10 million rupiahs ($955).

Revellers will need to be careful

Tourists are returning to Bali after it was largely closed off in 2021 ( Reuters: Sultan Anshori )

Those heading to Indonesia to party may find themselves facing a similar fine, if they are prosecuted under a part of the new code.

"Anyone who is drunk in a public place and disturbs public order, or threatens the safety of other people, shall be punished with a maximum fine of 10 million Rupiahs," the new code's Article 316 said.

Further to that, anyone who gives an already intoxicated person more drinks faces a year in jail.

There are also provisions that allow for people to be fined for "making uproar" or being too noisy in neighbourhoods at night or making false alarm calls.

Under the rules about possession, importing and distributing of drugs, anyone caught faces a minimum three years in prison or maximum 20 years in prison, depending on the type and quantity of drugs.

Anyone caught with pornography faces at least 6 months in jail, while those caught having sex in public will be sentenced to a year in prison.

People visiting temples in Bali will have to ensure they don't disrespect holy places, including statues and offerings on the street.

Otherwise they risk being sent to jail for up to a year.

Many of these provisions requires someone to make a formal report to the police and may not be actively enforced without complaints being lodged.

Danger from vague defamation laws

Dr Setiawan said another key issue was around the provisions that impinge on the right to freedom of expression.

That includes things such as defaming the president or vice-president, or members of public institutions.

The new criminal code could land anyone who says or shows anything attacking the honour or dignity of the president in jail for up to four years. ( AP Photo: Dita Alangkara/Pool )

"They're very broadly and vaguely formulated," Dr Setiawan said.

"And that is actually the danger of them.

"Because of that, they can be applied to anyone, and that includes foreigners."

For example, the code allows for a jail sentence of up to four years for anyone "who broadcasts, performs or posts writing or pictures so that they are visible to the public, playing recordings so that it is heard by the public, or disseminates it by means of information technology containing attacks on the honour or dignity of the president or vice-president".

Who is at risk?

Dr Setiawan said she was concerned the new laws could be used to target the LGBT community.

"In Indonesia, marriage is just between a man and a woman," she told the ABC.

"Therefore, these laws do place risks for members of the LGBT community, because gay marriage is illegal in Indonesia.

"Apart from the sex outside marriage provision, there's also a provision that prohibits cohabitation, so that also makes it possible that gay couples that live together in Indonesia can be arrested."

Professor Butt said there was also a provision on "immoral acts" that could extend to public affection between people of the same gender.

There would also be high risks, from human rights perspective, for religious minority groups and women's rights, Dr Setiawan said.

"This reform was really overdue, but it is not a step towards a more liberal democracy," she said.

She described the changes to the code as a "really concerning development".

"It's very important to remember the concerns that the international community has, but it is that Indonesians will live with this on a daily basis," she said.

"This is not really a step in the right direction."

While there was the potential for people to be caught out by the new laws, Andreas Harsono — an Indonesian researcher for Human Rights Watch — said the code could not be effectively policed.

"The law will not be implemented fully … but it will provide an avenue for extortion and bribes," Mr Harsono said.

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Indonesia sets a lofty 2024 tourism target of 14 million visitors, with Bali as the centerpiece, emphasizing green tourism and culinary attractions to boost its global travel appeal.

As 2023 draws to a close, Indonesia is preparing for a landmark year in 2024, with tourism at the forefront of its economic agenda. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, led by Minister Sandiaga Uno , is setting ambitious targets to elevate Indonesia’s status as a premier global destination, particularly emphasizing Bali’s role.

Bali: The Crown Jewel of Indonesian Tourism

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Building on this success, Minister Uno has announced a national target of 14 million foreign tourist visits in 2024, an optimistic forecast supported by the country’s current upward trajectory. In 2023, Indonesia saw 11 million foreign visits, surpassing its initial target of 8.5 million. Australia remains a significant source of tourists for Bali, with over 122,000 Australian visitors recorded in October alone.

A Focus on Green Tourism

Looking ahead to 2024, Minister Uno’s strategy includes a substantial focus on green tourism, promoting sustainable travel that balances environmental protection with economic growth. This initiative will spotlight destinations like Nirup Island Batam, Boyotomo Bintan, and Lagoi Resort Bintan in the Riau Islands.

The Riau Islands: A Key Gateway

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Culinary Tourism: A Unique Selling Point

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Indonesia’s Broader Tourism Vision

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Theodore Koumelis

Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.

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Bali reopens to foreign travelers as COVID-19 surge subsides

The Associated Press

A beach vendor sets chairs as he waits for customers in Kuta beach in Bali, Indonesia, on Thursday. The Indonesian resort island of Bali welcomed international travelers to its shops and white-sand beaches for the first time in more than a year Thursday - if they're vaccinated, test negative, hail from certain countries, quarantine and heed restrictions in public. Firdia Lisnawati/AP hide caption

A beach vendor sets chairs as he waits for customers in Kuta beach in Bali, Indonesia, on Thursday. The Indonesian resort island of Bali welcomed international travelers to its shops and white-sand beaches for the first time in more than a year Thursday - if they're vaccinated, test negative, hail from certain countries, quarantine and heed restrictions in public.

DENPASAR, Indonesia — The Indonesian resort island of Bali reopened for international travelers to visit its shops and white-sand beaches for the first time in more than a year Thursday — if they're vaccinated, test negative, hail from certain countries, quarantine and heed restrictions in public.

However, foreign visitors may be slow to arrive. No international flights to Bali were scheduled on the first day of the reopening and a tourism official forecast travel would pick up in November.

Bali's airport will welcome new foreign arrivals from 19 countries that meet World Health Organization's criteria such as having their COVID-19 cases under control, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the government minister who leads the COVID-19 response in Java and Bali, said in a statement late Wednesday.

He said all international flight passengers must have proof they've been vaccinated two times, test negative for the coronavirus upon arrival in Bali and undergo a 5-day quarantine at designated hotels at their own expense. They'll also have to follow stringent rules at hotels, in restaurants and on beaches.

"We have to do this with caution because we need to stay alert," Pandjaitan said.

President Joko Widodo credited Bali's high vaccination rate for the decision to reopen. The country's COVID-19 caseload has also declined considerably; Indonesia has had around 1,000 cases a day in the past week after peaking around 56,000 daily in July.

Tourism is the main source of income on the idyllic "island of the gods" that is home to more than 4 million people, who are mainly Hindu in the mostly Muslim archipelago nation. Bali's tourist areas were deserted two decades ago after visitors were scared off by deadly terror attacks that targeted foreigners, but the island has worked to overcome that image.

More than 6 million foreigners arrived in Bali each year prior to the pandemic.

Foreign tourist arrivals dropped six-fold from 6.2 million in 2019 to only 1 million in 2020, while 92,000 people employed in tourism lost their jobs and the average room occupancy rate of classified hotels in Bali was below 20%. Statistics Indonesia data showed the island's economy contracted 9.31% year-on-year last year.

After closing the island to all visitors early in the pandemic, Bali reopened to Indonesians from other parts of the country in the middle of last year. That helped the island's gross domestic product grow a modest 2.83% in the second quarter this year, ending five consecutive quarters of contraction.

An airport worker marks queue line for the reopening of International Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, Indonesia, Thursday. Firdia Lisnawati/AP hide caption

An airport worker marks queue line for the reopening of International Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, Indonesia, Thursday.

The July surge , fueled by the delta variant, again totally emptied the island's normally bustling beaches and streets. Authorities restricted public activities, closed the airport and shuttered all shops, bars, sit-down restaurants, tourist attraction spots and many other places on the island. It reopened to domestic travelers in August.

Sang Putu Wibawa, the general manager at Bali's Tandjung Sari Hotel, said only two of its 40 rooms were occupied on average and he hoped the reopening would help the occupancy rate back to normal.

"We have been waiting for this moment for so long," he said. "This outbreak has hammered the local economy ... we are very excited to welcome foreign guests by observing health protocols."

Widodo said deciding to reopen Bali was based on its high vaccination rate as well as wanting to revive its economy. He said more than 80% of the Bali population has been fully vaccinated.

"Based on this situation, I am optimistic and we have decided to reopen international flights to Bali," Widodo wrote in his official Instagram on Saturday.

Overall, 59.4 million of Indonesia's 270 million people are fully vaccinated and another 43.2 million are partially vaccinated. Indonesia has confirmed more than 4.2 million cases and 142,811 deaths from COVID-19, the most in Southeast Asia.

Tourists from 19 countries are now able to visit the Bali and Riau islands provinces — Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, and Norway.

The tight timing is one reasons tourists were not immediately arriving, said Putu Astawa, head of the Bali Tourism Office

Airlines need time to schedule flights to Bali, while tourists need time to arrange travel documents such as tickets, insurance and virus tests as well as their five-day quarantine accommodations.

He predicted new visitors would start coming in early November.

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Indonesia to Reform Tourism on Tropical Island Bali, Senior Minister Says

FILE PHOTO: A couple walk along the beach in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, November 17, 2022.REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia will conduct an audit to reform tourism on the tropical island of Bali to improve tourism quality and preserve local culture and jobs, a senior minister said on Friday.

About 200,000 foreigners currently live in Bali and have created problems such as crime, over-development and competition for employment, Luhut Pandjaitan, senior minister overseeing tourism said on his Instagram page.

"Foreign tourists who bring problem here, such as narcotics, gangs, and other issues, we can deport them from Indonesia, from Bali, and we don't want them to enter Bali anymore," he said, speaking in English in a video clip.

Foreign arrivals in Bali have surged since the island reopened after COVID, and videos of misbehaving tourists often go viral, angering local residents and sparking harsh responses from social media users in Indonesia.

Data from Indonesia's statistics bureau shows that 2.9 million foreign visitors entered the island through Bali airport in the first half of this year, accounting for 65% of Indonesia's total foreign arrivals by air for the period.

Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno said earlier this month that the government wants to avoid "a situation like Barcelona, where tourists became public enemies," national news agency Antara reported.

Luhut said the government will also tackle trash problems on the island, improve infrastructure and prevent further over-development.

"We don't want to see paddy fields become a villa or become a nude club," he said. "For us, quality is more important than numbers."

Public nudity is illegal in Indonesia and there are no strip clubs in Bali, although there are nightclubs and discos that feature in-house dancers.

The government will soon announce a policy plan for reforming Bali's tourism, Luhut said.

(Reporting by Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Tom Hogue)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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• September 23, 2024 21:52 GMT+700

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Follow our news, recent searches, post-pandemic indonesia wants quality not quantity tourists: minister, advertisement.

Screengrab of interview with Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno.

Lin Xueling

SINGAPORE: Indonesia is aiming for quality over quantity of tourists as it opens up after 18 tough months of closed borders and bumpy transitions into post-pandemic life, said Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno. 

Southeast Asia’s biggest economy is targeting only 2 million visitors in 2022, a sharp drop of nearly 90 per cent from its pre-pandemic figure of close on 17 million foreign tourists a year. 

Instead, the sprawling archipelago, known for its famous beaches and lush green landscapes, is focusing on the amount of time visitors stay in Indonesia and their impact on the environment. 

“This is the concept of personalise, customise, localise and smaller, much, much smaller in size tourism,” the minister said in an exclusive interview with CNA.

“We want to improve the number of days that they are spending in Indonesia, the length of stay. We want to make sure not only a much better-quality spending but also the impact to environment. The 17 million plus numbers put a heavy tax on our environment. We’re moving into quality and sustainability type of tourism,” he explained. 

This radical shift comes as the pandemic calls into question the viability of mass travel and as the climate crisis pushes environmental concerns up the agenda. Tourism is one of the main sources of Indonesia’s foreign currency earnings – contributing close to 6 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product pre-pandemic. 

Slow take off after Bali reopening as mandatory quarantine deters international tourists

Two of Indonesia’s most popular tourist spots, Bali and the Riau islands, rolled out the welcome mat to foreign visitors from 19 countries last month as COVID-19 cases subsided in the country. However, the reopening has been plagued by few international flights and a mandatory quarantine still in force. 

The Indonesian tourism minister was more cautious about when such curbs will be lifted, emphasising that health concerns must still be the priority, although weekly reviews will be made based on the health data. He said chartered flights in Bali might be a possibility and scheduled flights would likely follow-up on that.

“There’s a lot of demand for the live on boat quarantine, meaning that they arrive in Bali and they go straight to the boat ... They would be allowed to go into the dive sites and enjoy the open seas but within the premise of the boat,” he said. 

At the same time, the Indonesian government argues that the country’s painful experience in tackling a surge in COVID-19 cases earlier this year, means its healthcare system is in good shape to handle a potential spike of foreign visitors who might fall sick with COVID-19 while visiting Indonesia.

“(The) second wave in Bali and other parts of Indonesia happening in July and August, really taught us a big lesson that we would need to prepare these health facilities and health supplies,” said the minister. 

“We are confident that we would be able to handle if should there be another surge,” he asserted. 

The other big question is even with Indonesia opening its doors again, big-spending visitors from China who make up Indonesia’s biggest source of international arrivals pre-pandemic may be conspicuously absent. 

Beijing has yet to allow its residents to freely travel out of the country. China has reimposed lockdowns in parts of the country as it remains one of the few places in the world to hold on to a ‘Zero COVID’ policy.

Acknowledging that it will be a slow climb to get tourism back to its buoyant pre-pandemic levels, the minister said: “Gradually up to the end of this administration in 2024, we’re targeting to reach closer to 8 to 10 million tourists – but it will take some time.”

“BABY STEPS” 

In recent days, a range of Southeast Asian countries have announced optimistic plans to throw open borders to tourists from neighboring countries and further abroad. 

Thailand was a first-mover in July allowing a sandbox scheme where vaccinated tourists could visit the popular island resort of Phuket quarantine-free. However, these hopeful reopenings have stopped far short of amounting to an ASEAN-wide travel bubble, an ambitious idea being pushed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is made up of 10 member states, and short-haul travel between these close neighbours has been growing rapidly – making up a hefty 40 per cent of travel in the region before the pandemic struck.

However, travel experts say the likelihood of an ASEAN tourism bubble becoming reality anytime soon is dim.

One of the major problems is the extreme disparity in vaccination rates in the region. Singapore leads the pack with over 80 per cent of its population fully vaccinated. Myanmar lags far behind with a mere 13.2 per cent of its population fully vaccinated. 

About 70 per cent of the population in many ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, remain unvaccinated. Only about 28 per cent of the Indonesian population are fully vaccinated. 

The Indonesian tourism minister acknowledged the big gap in vaccination rates among ASEAN member states poses a big hurdle to the goal of a regional travel bubble. But he expressed hope that the countries will be “inspired” to ramp up vaccinations for their population.

The minister said Indonesia will take “baby steps” in an “incremental” reopening as the country assumes the 2022 presidency of the G20 – with Bali slated to host the next G20 summit. 

“That’s why we have to be very, very absolutely sure that the opening up of Bali would be done … on a safe and secure basis.”

Watch the full interview with Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia's Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy, on “In Conversation”, Nov 10, 9pm SIN/HK, 8pm JKT on CNA.

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Indonesian Tourism is Increasingly Recognized by the World

Indonesia wins the title of "asia's leading adventure tourism destination 2024" by the world travel awards.

Labuan Bajo, one of the best tourist destinations in Indonesia for maritime adventures. Special

ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesian tourism is increasingly recognized internationally.

Indonesia has just received the “Asia’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2024” award according to the World Travel Awards, the world’s most prestigious event in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.

Indonesian tourism achieved this brilliant achievement according to the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) released by the World Economic Forum (WEF)

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“This award shows that Indonesian tourism is increasingly quality and world class,” said the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno in a statement in Jakarta, Friday, September 20 2024.

Indonesia won this title after successfully defeating a number of competitors in the same category, including Japan as the winner in 2023, China, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The World Travel Awards have been around since 1993 and are now considered an industry standard globally.

Previously, Indonesian tourism achieved brilliant achievements according to the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on May 21 2024. Where Indonesia was ranked 22nd out of 119 countries with a score of 4.46, up 10 places from 2021.

As is known, adventure tourism is one of the tourism trends that is growing post-pandemic, showing an increasing trend with the presence of niche markets based on a variety of special interest attractions, which not only encourage tourist movement, but also increase length of stay, high spending, and value for money. .

The majority of adventure tourism business actors are individual, micro and small businesses which shows that adventure tourism is an inclusive and sustainable industry.

“Adventure tourism activities in the tourism industry have had an economic impact that can be enjoyed by local communities and encourage sustainable tourism practices,” said Sandiaga.

Apart from that, Bali was again nominated as “Asia’s Most Romantic Destination 2024” beating Ko Samui in Thailand and Siem Reap in Cambodia. Bali has achieved this predicate for six consecutive years from 2019 to 2024.

There are a number of other awards won by Indonesia at the World Travel Awards, including;

• Indonesia’s Leading Car Rental Company 2024: Avis.
• Indonesia’s Leading Boutique Resort 2024: Amankila.
• Indonesia’s Leading Business Hotel 2024: The Westin Jakarta.
• Indonesia’s Leading City Hotel 2024: InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah.
• Indonesia’s Leading Conference Hotel 2024: InterContinental Bandung Dago Pakar.
• Indonesia’s Leading Dive Resort 2024: Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa.
• Indonesia’s Leading Family Resort 2024: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali.
• Indonesia’s Leading Hotel 2024: InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah.
• Indonesia’s Leading Hotel Residences 2024: InterContinental Residences Jakarta Pondok Indah.
• Indonesia’s Leading Hotel Suite 2024: Presidential Suite @ The Langham, Jakarta.
• Indonesia’s Leading Lifestyle Resort 2024: W Bali – Seminyak.
• Indonesia’s Leading Resort 2024: Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort.
• Indonesia’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2024: The Ascott Limited.
• Indonesia’s Leading Serviced Apartments 2024: Ascott Kuningan Jakarta
• Indonesia’s Leading Tour Operator 2024: Discover Luxury Indonesia.
• Indonesia’s Leading Online Travel Agency 2024: Traveloka.
• Indonesia’s Leading Destination Management Company 2024: Discover Luxury Indonesia.
• Indonesia’s Leading Travel Agency 2024: Satguru Travel Indonesia.
• Indonesia’s Leading Travel Management Company 2024: Traveloka.

Other award winners in Bali include;

• Bali’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2024: Bisma Eight Ubud Bali.
• Bali’s Leading Family Resort 2024: Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort.
• Bali’s Leading Hotel 2024: Hard Rock Hotel Bali.
• Bali’s Leading Hotel Residences 2024: Bulgari Residences @ Bulgari Resort Bali.
• Bali’s Leading Hotel Suite 2024: Extreme Wow Suite @ W Bali – Seminyak.
• Bali’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel 2024: Hidden Hills Villas.
• Bali’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2024: Raffles Presidential Villa @ Raffles Bali.
• Bali’s Leading Resort 2024: Jumeirah Bali
• Bali’s Leading Villa Resort 2024: Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort.
• Bali’s Leading Destination Management Company 2024: Essence of Bali DMC.
• Bali’s Leading Tour Operator 2024: Bali Golden Tour. (AT Network)

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Turis Indonesia Tumbuh Subur di Swiss, Terbesar Ketiga ASEAN

Turis Indonesia sedang tumbuh-tumbuhnya. Kini giliran Swiss yang mengincar pasar dari Tanah Air kita.

Dalam temu jurnalis di Jakarta, Jumat (27/9/2024), Swiss Tourism meluncurkan strategi branding baru. Karena, mereka ingin memperkuat citra mereka bagi wisatawan Indonesia.

Dalam kesempatan ini Swiss Tourism meluncurkan strategi pemasaran globalnya dengan pendekatan "One Brand". Cara ini dirancang untuk meningkatkan visibilitas dan daya tarik negara di pasar internasional, termasuk Indonesia.

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Strategi baru ini menekankan penawaran layanan pariwisata yang ada selama sepanjang tahun di Swiss. Mereka juga mengundang traveler untuk menjelajahi permata tersembunyi negara itu di luar landmark terkenalnya.

Jadi, turis Indonesia mengalami peningkatan 23% dalam hal menginap dibandingkan dengan 2019, dan pertumbuhan 42% dari 2022. Jadi, Indonesia telah dengan cepat menjadi salah satu pasar sumber paling dinamis untuk Swiss.

Sebagai sumber terbesar ketiga di Asia Tenggara dalam proyeksi untuk tahun-tahun mendatang, wisatawan Indonesia semakin tertarik pada lanskap Swiss yang menakjubkan dan kepada pengalaman unik.

Strategi branding baru dengan pendekatan 'One Brand' oleh Swiss Tourism adalah kerangka kerja inovatif yang menyatukan ekosistem beragam merek. Itu memungkinkan Swiss untuk menampilkan dirinya secara konsisten di semua media.

Arah baru ini meningkatkan kemampuan negara untuk terlibat dengan khalayak internasional dengan cara yang lebih terpadu dan berdampak.

"Bab baru ini bukan hanya tentang perubahan dalam visual atau slogan. Ini mewakili pendekatan pemikiran ke depan Swiss, memungkinkan merek untuk menjadi lebih dinamis dan inovatif dalam bagaimana menghubungkan dengan wisatawan di seluruh dunia," kata Wakil Duta Besar Swiss, Mathias Domenig.

Sementara Swiss dikenal di seluruh dunia untuk olahraga musim dingin dan pemandangan pegunungan yang menakjubkan, itu juga merupakan tujuan untuk semua musim. Apakah itu hiking di musim panas, menyaksikan mekar musim semi, atau menikmati warna musim gugur.

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Indonesia's Tourism Soars to Global Top 22 Under Jokowi's Leadership

Jakarta. Indonesia's tourism industry has surged over the past decade, surpassing nations like Belgium, Turkey, and New Zealand, according to Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno.

Under President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's 10-year leadership, significant infrastructure improvements and a resilient workforce have driven this success, creating millions of jobs and boosting foreign exchange earnings.

Sandiaga emphasized the sector’s transformative economic impact and the importance of sustaining growth through quality, culturally-rooted, and sustainable tourism.

“In the last 10 years under President Jokowi’s administration, we’ve witnessed significant progress in Indonesia’s tourism. Infrastructure development, such as ports and roads leading to tourist destinations, has advanced massively," Sandiaga told Beritasatu.com on Tuesday.

"According to the   Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) , Indonesia, which was once outside the top 50 in global tourism, has now proudly risen to 22nd place. We have surpassed countries known for their strong tourism sectors, including Belgium, Turkey, and New Zealand. In ASEAN, we now rank second, surpassing neighbors like Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines,” he added.

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Beyond rankings, Indonesia’s tourism sector has also significantly impacted the economy. Sandiaga noted that while the number of international visitors hasn’t fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, foreign exchange earnings from tourism have improved due to longer stays and higher spending in local economies.

“We are currently hosting 13-14 million international tourists annually, compared to 16-17 million before the pandemic. However, in terms of foreign exchange, we’ve exceeded previous figures, thanks to tourists staying longer and spending more locally. This has had a positive impact on job creation, with 25 million jobs generated in the tourism sector,” Sandiaga said.

Having served as Tourism Minister for the past four years, Sandiaga attributed these achievements to rapid infrastructure development and a resilient workforce. He expressed optimism that Indonesia's economy could grow by 6-7 percent, with a goal of reaching 8 percent by the end of President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s administration, provided inflation remains controlled at 2-3 percent.

Key infrastructure projects have bolstered tourism, particularly at the five super-priority destinations. In Lake Toba, for instance, new infrastructure, including bridges, airport access, highways, and luxury hotels, has been developed. Sandiaga also highlighted international events such as the F1 Power Boat and Aqua Bike competitions, which attract tourists to the area.

“The massive infrastructure development at Lake Toba has transformed it into a premier destination, attracting not only local tourists but also international visitors. Besides enjoying the natural beauty, tourists now experience Batak culture through the local tourism villages. There was initial skepticism about the region’s readiness for tourism, but after tourism and creative economy training, the workforce has impressed visitors,” Sandiaga explained.

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Similarly, the construction of the MotoGP circuit in Mandalika, Lombok, has significantly impacted local tourism and the economy. The third MotoGP event will be held there from September 27-29, 2024.

Sandiaga also underscored the role of tourism villages in enhancing the tourism ecosystem. He mentioned Borobudur, which has benefited from infrastructure upgrades and the surrounding world-class tourism villages, including Langgeran in Gunung Kidul.

Sandiaga praised the resilience of local communities, referring to them as the “winners of the pandemic,” who helped revive tourism after the challenges of 2020.

“Leaders like the village head in Penglipuran, Bali, have overseen visitor numbers grow to 3,000 daily. Stories like these inspire gratitude for Indonesia’s resilient tourism workforce, now world-class champions," Sandiaga said.

Reflecting on the challenges and achievements, Sandiaga expressed hope that Indonesia’s tourism industry would continue to thrive in the future, focusing on sustainability, cultural preservation, and community welfare.

“My vision for tourism is for it to be of higher quality, sustainable, culturally rooted, and dignified. Our tourism should create jobs and prosperity, fulfilling the constitutional mandate to promote public welfare and educate the nation. Through our 'tourism and peace' tagline, we strive to contribute to global peace through the universal appeal of tourism,” Sandiaga concluded.

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Latest Travel Regulations to Enter Bali as of 1 December 2022

You know what time it is? Yes, #ItstimeforBali! The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, imposed new regulations for those who are planning to travel to Bali. Since 14 October 2021, Bali has been gradually opening its doors to international tourists. On 3 February  2022, the inaugural commercial flight of Garuda Indonesia Airline carrying international tourists landed in Bali from Narita, Japan. By relaxing the travel restrictions to Bali, the Indonesian Government hopes that this move will be able to revitalize the country’s tourism.

On 7 March 2022, the government also applied a quarantine-free trial period and a Visa On Arrival (VOA) program for 23 selected countries. The list of countries was then extended to 42 on 22 March 2022, 43 countries on 6 April 2022, 60 countries on 28 April 2022,  72 countries on 30 May 2022, and then 75 countries on 27 July 2022. There are currently 86 countries listed based on the update on 23 September 2022.

On 10 November 2022, the government also launched an Electronic Visa on Arrive (eVOA) program to provide foreign travelers with an easier entry process. According to the Circular Letter of the Directorate General of Immigration No. IMI-0794.GR.01.01 of 2022 concerning the Immigration Policy regarding Electronic Visit Visa Services, Visit Visa on Arrival Services, and Free Visit Visa to Support Sustainable Tourism during the Covid-19 Pandemic, as of 1 December 2022, there are 86 countries eligible for the eVOA program.

Another great news to be noted is that from 18 May 2022, no RT-PCR test results are required to be taken prior to departure from the country or region of origin . 

In addition, the government has also launched Second Home Visa , Immigration on Shipping (IoS) , and recently, Electronic Visa on Arrival (eVOA) , which was effective from 10 November 2022. 

The Indonesian Government will ensure to keep their utmost efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, namely by maintaining the  status as one of countries with the highest vaccination rates, as well as the country that consistently provides safety protocols for all visitors. As of 18 May 2022, Bali is one of the top 3 provinces with highest vaccination rates and also one of the highest numbers of CHSE certifications. 

1. Pre-departure Preparation

Before departing to Bali, you need to prepare yourself with the information about the Visa and requirements to enter Indonesia.

Entering with Visa on Arrival and Visa Exemption Facility

According to the Circular Letter of the Directorate General of Immigration No. IMI-0708.GR.01.01 of 2022 concerning the Ease of Immigration to Support Sustainable Tourism during the COVID-19 Pandemic effective from 23 September 2022, there are 86 countries that are eligible for VIsa on Arrival (VOA) program. 

In addition, according to the  Circular Letter of the Directorate General of Immigration No. IMI-0708.GR.01.01 of 2022 concerning the Ease of Immigration to Support Sustainable Tourism during the COVID-19 Pandemic effective from 23 September 2022, the Indonesian government has also implemented a Visa Exemption Arrangement facility to 9 countries.

More details about the eligible countries, updated rules, regulations, and ports of entries for Visa On Arrival and Visa Exemption Facilities can be read on this link and can be summarized as follows:

• Passport (diplomatic/official/ordinary) that is valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months,
• A return ticket or a pass to continue the trip to another country, and
• Proof of payment of PNBP Visa on Arrival of 500,000 IDR (in the case of applying for a Visa on Arrival for Leisure Purpose)
• The entry stamp on the granting of a Visit Visa Exemption or Visa on Arrival for Leisure Purpose will be valid as a Visit Stay Permit with the certain period, as follows: a) Visit Visa Exemption: maximum 30 days and cannot be extended. b) Visa on Arrival: maximum of 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days at the Immigration Office in the area where the foreign national lives. 
• Visit Visa Exemption or Visa on Arrival for Leisure Purpose can also be granted for foreign nationals on official visit or government duties to attend international events, for which shall be applied additional requirement: to enclose an invitation letter issued by the Indonesian government to attend the international conferences/trials/meetings.
• The provision of Visit Visa Exemption or Visa on Arrival for Leisure Purpose as stipulated above applies to holders of diplomatic passports, service passports, or ordinary/general passports.

Entering with eVOA

You can visit this link to find out more information about eVOA, as well as this page to gather the details about eVOA registration .

2. Arrival protocols

When you have arrived in Bali, there are several measures you need to take before you can continue your trip. According to the Circular Letter of the COVID-19 Task Force Number 25 of 2022 concerning Health Protocols for International Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic, as of 31 August 2022, all international travelers, whether they are Indonesian citizens or foreign nationals, should comply with all the detailed regulations on this link .

The protocols can be summarized as follows:

1. All foreign travelers (foreign nationals) who will enter the territory of the Republic of Indonesia shall adjust their travel documents to ensure compliance with the provisions regarding the foreign travelers allowed to enter the territory of Indonesia, which includes Covid-19 vaccination certificates, recommended health protocols, along with the use of  PeduliLindungi  application while in Indonesia. Provisions for RT-PCR examination and quarantine period are not required except under certain conditions.

2. Foreign travelers must show a card/certificate (physical or digital) proving that you have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered at least 14 days before departure.

Foreign travelers who undergo post-COVID recovery are allowed to continue the journey by attaching a doctor's certificate from the Government Hospital of the country of departure or the ministry that carries out government affairs in the health sector in the country of departure stating that the person concerned is no longer actively transmitting COVID-19 or the COVID-19 recovery certificate;

Foreign travelers with special health conditions or comorbidities that cause travelers to have not and/or unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, are allowed to continue the journey by attaching a doctor's certificate from the Government Hospital from the country of departure, stating that the person concerned has not and/or is unable to take part in the COVID-19 vaccination.

3. Upon arrival at the entry points, foreign travelers must undergo a COVID-19 symptom check, including a body temperature check, with the following conditions :

If there is no symptom of COVID-19 and body temperature is below 37.5 degrees Celsius:  no need to undergo RT-PCR examination upon arrival

If there is any symptom of COVID-19 or body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius:  must undergo RT-PCR examination upon arrival. 

4. As a requirement for domestic travel or departure abroad from Indonesia, international travelers with the status of Indonesian citizens aged 18 years and above must present a card/certificate (physical or digital) of receiving the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine displayed through the PeduliLindungi application. You can check out this link to find out about the detailed regulations for domestic travel.

5. The provision regarding the period of isolation (quarantine) no longer applies. All foreign travelers without symptoms related to COVID-19 and whose body temperature is below 37.5 degrees Celsius are able to continue their journey. However, it is highly recommended to monitor their health independently.

6. Health protocols must meet these requirements:

Wearing 3 ply of fabric mask or medical grade mask, covering nose, mouth, and chin at indoor settings or any crowded situations;

Replacing the mask regularly within every 4 hours, and dispose the waste in the proper place;

Washing hands regularly with water and soap or hand sanitizers;

Maintaining social distance for a minimum of 1.5 meters and avoiding crowds; and

Keeping in mind that it is advised not to have one-way or two-way communication by telephone or in person throughout the trip using public transportation modes of land, rail, sea, river, lake, ferry, and air.

7. The above policies are temporary and will be readjusted according to global health developments.

Please make sure that you are tested by  the affiliated laboratories  so that the results will be directly connected to the PeduliLindungi app.

Furthermore, you can  visit here  to get a one stop service for your travel requirements in Bali. Kindly  click here  to browse all the accommodations and tourism destinations in Bali that have been granted the CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability) certification. Beside booking at your favorite accommodation among the listed hotels, villas, and resorts, come check out these  Live on Board  providers for new exciting experiences.

Remember to always comply with all the health protocols while enjoying the best of Bali again. Do keep yourself updated with the latest information about traveling regulations in Bali by checking out  this page .

Come follow our Instagram  @wonderfulindonesia , Facebook  @WonderfulIndonesia , Twitter  @wonderfulid , TikTok  @wonderfulid , and our Youtube  Wonderful Indonesia  to keep an eye out on the latest news about Indonesia’s tourism as well as awe-inspiring trip ideas.

*Disclaimer: This article was updated on January 16, 2023. Due to the dynamic nature of travel regulations, please stay updated and confirm your itinerary with your chosen travel providers.

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