Foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia reached 12.01 million between January and September 2026, approaching the 12.10 million recorded in the same period of 2019. This marks the highest nine-month total since 2020 and reflects the sector’s strong recovery after pandemic disruptions.
September 2026 Foreign Tourist Arrivals Breakdown
Indonesia received 1,427,114 foreign tourist visits in September 2026. This figure represents a 10.79 percent decline compared to August but is a 2.31 percent increase compared to September 2025. Malaysia contributed the largest share of visits at 16.76 percent, roughly 239,000 arrivals, followed by Australia with 177,350 visits (12.43 percent), China with 153,570 visits (10.76 percent), and Singapore at
9.42 percent of total visits.
Chinese Tourism Surge and Monthly Visitor Trends
Chinese tourist arrivals in September 2026 surged by 35.59 percent year-on-year, marking a significant growth driver for Indonesia’s tourism sector. However, arrivals from China fell 5.53 percent month-on-month from August. Malaysian visitors also decreased by 19.24 percent from August to September, while Australian arrivals increased by 3.15 percent in the same period.
Main Entry Points for Foreign Tourists
Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport remained Indonesia’s primary foreign tourist gateway in September 2026, with Australian passport holders leading arrivals through this airport. In total, 1,282,308 foreign tourists entered through primary points including Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Hang Nadim Airport
in Batam, and Kualanamu Airport in Deli Serdang. Another 144,806 visitors entered via border points.
Travel Purpose and Tourist Spending
In the third quarter of 2026, 79 percent of foreign tourists in Indonesia traveled for vacation. The average spending per visit during this period reached $1,374.48, up from $1,285 in the previous quarter and $1,297.31 in Q3 2025. Accommodation accounted for the largest expenditure at $497.12 per visit, followed by food and beverages at $271.33, and goods and souvenirs at $148.93.
BPS Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics Ateng Hartono 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.” He added that the January to September 2026 foreign tourist total is the highest since 2020 and noted, “This figure has increased compared to the average spending in the previous quarter.”
COVID-19 Impact and Tourism Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major international travel disruptions starting in 2020, significantly reducing tourist arrivals to Indonesia. The 2026 figures indicate a substantial recovery, with arrivals nearing pre-pandemic levels. The resumption of international flight connectivity and improvements in tourism infrastructure have contributed to this rebound.
Tourism Trends and Economic Impact
The month-to-month fluctuations in foreign tourist arrivals, including the 10.79 percent decline in September
2026 versus August, indicate that tourism volumes remain volatile and require longer-term observation for trend analysis. The rising average expenditure per visitor underlines the sector’s strengthening economic impact, particularly in accommodation, food services, and retail sectors.
