Antara News·Indonesia·Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 05:01 PM UTC

Indonesia eyes surge in Chinese tourists to Labuan Bajo, Bali

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Hreeloita Shanti, Uyu Liman

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Tourism Ministry is stepping up efforts to boost tourist arrivals from China by hosting Chinese travel agencies and tour operators on a promotional tour to Labuan Bajo and Bali.

Held Oct. 19–25, the familiarization trip was designed to help Chinese travel trade representatives experience key attractions firsthand and formulate customized tour packages for their domestic market.

"We hope the participants will be able to design and market competitive Indonesian holiday packages that cater specifically to the preferences of Chinese travelers," the ministry's Deputy for Marketing, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Throughout the week-long program, seven Chinese travel trade representatives explored tourism infrastructure and luxury accommodations in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, the main gateway to Komodo National Park.

The delegation also sailed aboard a traditional pinisi schooner and visited premier snorkeling spots, including Padar Island, Pink Beach, and Komodo Island, before attending a sunset dinner cruise.

The itinerary featured business-to-business (B2B) networking sessions with 14 local tourism operators, including airlines, hoteliers, and local travel agents. The business forum was supported by the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF) and the Manggarai Barat Tourism Office.

"Labuan Bajo served as the primary focus of this tour, aligning with the ministry’s strategy to disperse international tourist arrivals to designated priority destinations beyond Bali," Marthini explained.

"Carrying the spirit of 'Go Beyond Ordinary,' Indonesia reinforces its position as a destination where pristine nature, rich culture, and warm hospitality converge, bringing unforgettable experiences," she added.

From Labuan Bajo, participants continued their journey to Bali, which is connected to mainland China via direct flights, including China Southern Airlines’ Guangzhou–Denpasar route. In Bali, the delegation focused on cultural, wellness, and culinary tourism in Ubud.

Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) shows Chinese tourist arrivals reached 1.34 million in 2025, positioning China as Indonesia's fourth-largest feeder market after Malaysia, Australia, and Singapore.

The positive momentum continued into 2026, with Chinese arrivals reaching 1.05 million from January to August, a 16.46 percent increase compared to the 905,002 visits recorded during the same period in 2025.

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