Indonesia’s Tourism Expo Japan 2026 Participation Generates Potential 5,600 Tourist Visits

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s participation in Tourism Expo Japan (TEJ) 2026 in Tokyo generated potential visits from around 5,600 tourists and estimated potential foreign exchange earnings of US$7.168 million, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism Ni Made Ayu Marthini said the results highlighted significant opportunities in the Japanese tourism market that could be further developed through stronger business engagement and tourism packages tailored to Japanese travellers.

“This achievement indicates a market opportunity that can be pursued by strengthening business communication and developing tour packages tailored to the interests of Japanese tourists,” she said in a statement issued Friday.

TEJ 2026 was held from September 24 to 27 at Tokyo Big Sight, bringing together tourism stakeholders from 40 countries. The event featured approximately 400 co-exhibitors and 500 booths and attracted more than 44,000 visitors.

Indonesia participated through a 54-square-metre Wonderful Indonesia Pavilion, involving eight tourism industry partners, along with Garuda Indonesia. The participating companies included Wendy Tour, Menjaga Bay Hotel, Kuno Villas, DMC White Tiger Bali, The Yoga Barn, Adventure Indonesia, and The Mulia Resorts & Villas.

The Indonesian pavilion promoted a range of destinations and tourism experiences while offering visitors interactive activities designed to showcase the country’s diverse culture and hospitality.

Among the attractions was an Indonesia Coffee Corner featuring coffee from Temanggung, Central Java. The pavilion also presented cultural performances representing Bali, North Sumatra and East Nusa Tenggara.

The Ministry of Tourism conducted a survey involving 1,614 visitors to the Wonderful Indonesia Pavilion to assess their travel preferences and familiarity with Indonesia.

The survey found that 63.3 percent of respondents had never visited Indonesia, while 36.7 percent had previously travelled to the country.

Bali emerged as the most preferred Indonesian destination, selected by 86.2 percent of respondents. It was followed by Komodo Island and Labuan Bajo with 5.3 percent, Borobudur with 4 percent, Raja Ampat with 1.7 percent, Lake Toba with 1.5 percent, and Lombok with 1.2 percent.

Ni Made said the findings would serve as a basis for strengthening Indonesia’s tourism promotion strategy in Japan, particularly by using Bali as a gateway to introduce Japanese tourists to other destinations across the country.

“These findings form the basis for strengthening Indonesia’s promotional strategy in Japan, particularly by utilizing Bali as a gateway to introduce other destinations,” she said.

The ministry is also encouraging the tourism industry to develop integrated travel packages that combine Bali with other Indonesian destinations, including Labuan Bajo, Yogyakarta, Manado, Lake Toba and Lombok.

The strategy is aimed at encouraging Japanese tourists to extend their stays and explore destinations beyond Bali, while increasing tourism-related foreign exchange earnings for Indonesia.