Indonesia Showcases New Tourism Initiatives at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2025 in Malaysia
Johor Bahru, The Gulf Observer: The Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia is actively promoting new tourism programs at the Travel Exchange of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025, taking place from January 15 to 17 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
According to Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism, the ATF provides an excellent platform to introduce innovative initiatives aimed at developing Indonesia’s tourism sector.
“The new programs include the clean tourism movement, digitalization of tourism or tourism 5.0, and the development of special interest tourism attractions,” Marthini stated on Sunday. She emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to fostering quality and sustainable tourism, highlighting initiatives such as the tourism village program.
In 2024, Indonesia recorded 4,303,773 tourist arrivals from Southeast Asian countries, underscoring the potential of the ASEAN market. “This ASEAN market is still very potential to be optimized,” Marthini noted.
To attract more ASEAN tourists, the Ministry of Tourism is collaborating with the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Johor Bahru, the Johor State Government, and the Riau Islands Provincial Government. Efforts include improving connectivity between Johor and parts of Indonesia and fostering cross-regional tourism promotion partnerships.
Johor’s proximity to Indonesia’s Riau Islands presents a unique opportunity for mutual tourism growth. “We need to present tourism programs that can be beneficial for the people of Johor and the Riau Islands,” Marthini added.
Sigit Suryantoro Widiyanto, Indonesian Consul General in Johor Bahru, highlighted the progress of the cross-border tourism promotion program. The initiative includes plans for special border treatment (SBT) for Johor residents visiting the Riau Islands and vice versa. Discussions on technical implementation are ongoing between tourism agencies and businesses in both regions.
The Wonderful Indonesia Pavilion at the ATF 2025 has already recorded business-to-business transactions worth Rp41.1 billion (approximately US$2.5 million) by the second day of the event, with expectations of further growth by the event’s conclusion.
This collaborative effort underscores Indonesia’s dedication to enhancing regional connectivity and tourism innovation within the ASEAN framework.
