Indonesia recorded 12.01 million foreign tourist arrivals between January and September 2026, the highest figure since 2020, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS). Total foreign visits in September 2026 reached 1,427,114, a 10.79% decrease from August but a 2.31% increase year-on-year.
Tourist Arrivals by Country and Trends
Tourists from Malaysia accounted for 16.76% of arrivals in September 2026, about 239,000 visits, making it the largest contributor. Australia followed with 12.43% or 177,350 visits, while China contributed 10.76%, equating to 153,570 visits. Singapore made up 9.42% of visits. Despite a monthly decline of 5.53% in Chinese arrivals September-to-August, year-on-year growth for Chinese tourists surged 35.59%. Malaysian visits dropped
19.24% month-on-month, whereas Australian visits rose 3.15%.
Major Entry Points and Airport Traffic
Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport remained the main gateway for foreign tourists in September 2026, with Australian passport holders dominating arrivals there. Other significant entry points were Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Hang Nadim Airport in Batam, and Kualanamu Airport in Deli Serdang. Of the total September foreign visits, 1,282,308 entered via primary airport points, while border entry points accounted for 144,806 visits.
Tourist Purpose and Spending Patterns
Approximately 79% of foreign tourists traveled to Indonesia for vacation during the third quarter of 2026. Average spending per visit reached $1,374.48, an increase from $1,285.00 in the
second quarter of 2026 and $1,297.31 in the third quarter of 2025. Accommodation expenses led expenditure categories with an average spending of $497.12 per visit, followed by food and beverages at $271.33 and goods and souvenirs at $148.93.
Official Statements and Tourism Recovery
BPS Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics Ateng Hartono confirmed the growth in foreign tourist visits despite monthly fluctuations. He stated, “In total, the number of foreign tourist visits was 1.43 million, a decrease of 10.79 percent month-on-month, while year-on-year it increased by 2.31 percent.” Hartono noted that the 12.01 million arrivals from January to September 2026 represent the highest since 2020
and are approaching pre-pandemic levels. Concerning spending trends, he added, “This figure has increased compared to the average spending in the previous quarter.”
The recovery in international arrivals and tourist spending signals progress after disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020. Maintaining strong airport connectivity, especially at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, and sustaining quality accommodation and services remain critical for Indonesia’s tourism sector growth into the rest of 2026.
