The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Bangladesh and Nepal, held a successful sales mission on September 13, 2024, in Kathmandu, Nepal. The event aimed to strengthen Indonesia’s presence as a preferred tourist destination for Nepalese travelers, popularly known for exploring “the sky of the world.” More than 30 domestic tourism companies participated in the event, reflecting the growing interest in Indonesia among Nepalese tourists.
Post-pandemic, Indonesia has witnessed a significant rise in tourist arrivals from Nepal. In 2023, Nepalese tourist visits to Indonesia surged by 186% compared to 2022. From January to July 2024, the number of Nepalese visitors reached 5,058, marking a 70.48% increase over the same period in 2023. Notably, in July 2024 alone, tourist arrivals from Nepal grew by 91.9% compared to July 2023.
During her opening remarks at the Nepal Sales Mission 2024, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ms. Ni Made Ayu Marthini, highlighted the positive growth trajectory of Nepalese tourists visiting Indonesia. She emphasized the importance of promotional activities, such as the sales mission, to sustain this upward trend. “While the numbers are not as high as other top-origin countries, the increasing trend is significant. Indonesia is becoming more popular among Nepalese tourists, and vice versa, with Nepal being a destination for adventurous Indonesian youth,” said Marthini.
Two key challenges discussed during the mission were connectivity and visa requirements. Nepal lacks direct flight connectivity with Indonesia, which requires Nepalese tourists to transit through hubs like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, or Bangkok. Ms. Marthini noted the need for collaboration with airlines and tourism industries in these transit cities, such as Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, and Himalaya Airlines, to improve access.
Visa requirements also pose a challenge, as Nepalese tourists are not eligible for Indonesia’s visa-on-arrival (VoA) system. However, Ms. Marthini reassured the audience that despite these hurdles, Indonesia offers exceptional value for money, and once visitors experience the beauty of its destinations, the journey is well worth the effort.
The sales mission provided a platform for direct interaction between the Indonesian and Nepalese tourism industries. It included educational sessions introducing new destinations and updates on recent tourism policies in Indonesia. The event showcased five “Super Priority Destinations” beyond Bali, such as Lake Toba, Borobudur Temple, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang. Popular destinations like Batam-Bintan, Bandung, and Bromo were also promoted.
Ms. Marthini explained that Batam-Bintan is an ideal alternative destination for tourists traveling via Singapore, taking less than an hour by ferry from the city. Bandung was introduced as a high-speed train destination accessible within 30 minutes from Jakarta, while Bromo offers a stunning landscape just a one-hour flight from Bali via Surabaya Airport.
During her visit to Nepal, Ms. Marthini, alongside the Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh and Nepal, Mr. Heru Hartanto Subolo, met with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to discuss efforts to enhance tourism cooperation between the two countries. The meeting concluded with the presentation of traditional Indonesian gifts, including batik cloth and Luwak Coffee, to the NTB executives.
Ambassador Subolo expressed optimism about the future of Nepal-Indonesia tourism relations. He emphasized the role of Indonesia’s Honorary Consul in Nepal, Mr. Chandra Prasad Dhakal, in promoting bilateral ties and increasing the number of Nepalese tourists visiting Indonesia. “Nepal relies on Indonesia in many sectors, and Indonesia is well-known among Nepalese people. We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure easier access for Nepalese tourists,” Subolo stated.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy hopes to organize similar events and promotional efforts in the near future to further strengthen tourism ties between the two nations.
