The Diplomat
UN Tourism has launched the latest edition of its Investment Guidelines: Doing Business in Indonesia (Tourism Doing Business: Investing in Indonesia).
This comprehensive publication provides global investors with a clear, data-driven view of the broad opportunities in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic tourism markets.
Indonesia attracted USD 60 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in all sectors in 2024, surpassing its ten-year average. Tourism has only contributed USD 16.1 billion since 2018, with foreign investors contributing USD 5.6 billion (34.7%) and domestic investors USD 10.5 billion (66.3%).
From the white sands of Lombok to the cultural treasures of Borobudur, Indonesia has become a magnet for tourism investment thanks to a unique combination of government commitment, business-friendly reforms and iconic destinations.
The main highlights for investors include: 10 super priority destinations, such as Lake Toba, Raja Ampat and Labuan Bajo; 3 regenerative tourism destinations in Bali, the Riau Islands and Jakarta; ambitious short-term strategies, including the Clean Tourism Movement, the Village Tourism Programme and the €5 million for Rising Scale Tourism, and 11 special economic zones for tourism designed to accelerate investment and development.
UN Secretary-General for Tourism, Zurab Pololikashvili, said: “Indonesia’s proactive tourism strategy shows how vision and investment can turn destinations into engines of inclusive and sustainable growth. With strong public-private partnerships and a clear road map for development, Indonesia continues to lead by example in the region”.
For his part, the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, has noted: “These guidelines are an important milestone in our ongoing work to position Indonesia as a major destination for investment and tourism business. It is more than a tool. It is a roadmap to help investors navigate and unlock the immense potential of Indonesia’s thriving tourism sector”.
