TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is welcoming investors to tourism projects in regions beyond Bali as part of efforts to realize more equitable development in the tourism sector nationwide.
“Indonesia is not just Bali. We have numerous top destinations with vast tourist and investment potential. These destinations await responsible and sustainable development efforts,” Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana remarked during Investor Roundtable 2026, as quoted from Antara.
The minister gathered input from investors, regional governments, associations, and tourism professionals during the discussion in Bali to identify areas requiring government support and intervention.
Widiyanti pointed out that Indonesia recorded 15.39 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, with Bali accounting for nearly seven million visits.
“These figures illustrate the growing international confidence in Indonesia as both a tourism and investment destination, and Bali remains the powerhouse of national tourism growth,” the minister added.
She further noted that the inflow of international tourists remains concentrated in several Bali regions, particularly Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu, and Ubud, indicating the need for more effective strategies to disperse tourism investment nationwide.
To address the imbalance, the ministry continues promoting 13 special tourism destinations, positioning them as future centers of economic growth capable of creating jobs and improving public welfare more evenly across the country.
Widiyanti said the initiative is designed to help Indonesia capitalize on growing global demand for sustainable, wellness-oriented, and authentic tourism experiences.
The minister also outlined plans to develop a verification system based on an application programming interface to ensure that all accommodation services offered on digital platforms comply with permit requirements.
Acting Deputy for Industry and Investment at the Tourism Ministry, Rizki Handayani, said the Investor Roundtable provided a venue for stakeholders to exchange insights, identify obstacles, and explore investment opportunities beyond Bali.
"We believe this forum is important, not only to strengthen Bali's tourism investment ecosystem, but to draw lessons to advance the development of 10 priority tourist destinations and three regenerative tourist destinations," she said.
The priority destinations comprise Lake Toba (North Sumatra), Borobudur (Central Java), Mandalika (West Nusa Tenggara), Labuan Bajo (East Nusa Tenggara), Likupang (North Sulawesi), Tanjung Kelayang (Bangka Belitung), Bromo Tengger Semeru (East Java), Wakatobi (Southeast Sulawesi), Morotai (North Maluku), and Raja Ampat (Southwest Papua).
Meanwhile, the regenerative destinations are Bali, Jakarta, and the Riau Islands.
Read: Why Bali is Chillier Lately: BMKG Points to Australia
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