Indonesia to boost tourism by offering visa-free travel to 96 countries

In a bid to boost tourism, Indonesia has announced visa-free travel to 96 countries. The beautiful archipelago with over 17,000 islands, is a coastal dream destination for visitors from across the globe.

As of October 2024, Indonesia has experienced a substantial surge in inbound tourism, driven by its expanded visa-free policy, booming economic growth, and improved infrastructure. 

The new visa-free policy now allows citizens from 96 countries, including the USA, Japan, UK, UAE, and Mexico, to enter Indonesia without a visa, significantly boosting its appeal to international visitors. 

May 2024 saw a significant rise in international tourist arrivals to Indonesia, reaching 1.15 million visitors. This represents a 7.36% increase compared to April 2024 and a 20.11% rise compared to May 2023.

The consistent growth in tourism underscores Indonesia’s rising popularity as a global travel destination.

The majority of visitors came from neighboring countries, with Malaysia (17.47%), Australia (11.98%), and Singapore (9.69%) leading the way. This trend reflects Indonesia’s strong regional ties and its strategic position as a travel hub in Southeast Asia.