The Indonesian government has called upon the United Arab Emirates to invest in Indonesia’s evolving tourism sector.

Indonesian tourism minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana made the invitation when she recently met with UAE minister of economy Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri in Abu Dhabi.

The tourism minister cited the great potential for UAE tourist visits to Indonesia during the meeting, and she subsequently invited UAE investors to invest more in Indonesia’s tourism sector, which is becoming more promising.

Wardhana said: “I am optimistic that this will further strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector between Indonesia and the UAE in the future.”

She added that investors should not be hesitant to invest in Indonesia’s five super-priority destinations and ten tourism special economic zones.

Investments for continuing growth

Wardhana pointed out how UAE investments in Indonesia’s tourism sector were higher in 2023.

Indeed, over the past year, UAE investments in the Indonesian tourism sector increased sixfold compared to 2022. 

The top investment sectors were restaurants, travel agency activities, as well as upscale and luxury hotels.

Within this year alone, UAE investments in Indonesian tourism are already at US$1.8 million. Over the last three years, the figure has reached US$5.66 million.

Wardhana remarked: “This provides further opportunities for UAE investors to expand their portfolios.”