Indonesia plans to re-open borders in July 2021, with destinations including Bali, Batam and Bintan serving as ‘locomotive’ regions to kickstart tourism, said the country’s President Joko Widodo. In preparation, the government has carried out a widespread vaccination program for targeted groups, including the tourism workforce.

In addition, the government has also initiated the Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) certification programme throughout the tourism sector in Indonesia.

Indonesia announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai 2021, the leading global event for the Middle East’s travel industry that it is looking to partially re-open its borders to international visitors.

On behalf of the minister of tourism and creative economy of Indonesia (MoTCE), deputy minister for tourism marketing, Nia Niscaya, signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia and Emirates Airlines during ATM 2021. The cooperation aims to boost marketing activities overseas, especially in Dubai.

Middle East travellers have long been a key market for Indonesian tourism destinations. In 2019, the Middle East recorded a significant increase in arrivals to Indonesia, registering 263,923 visitors (27.88% higher than 2018).

(Sources: Trade Arabia and Bloomberg)