Kathmandu–
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia (Kemenparekraf) organized a sales mission on September 13, 2024, in Kathmandu, marking the first time in five years that this event has taken place in Nepal. The initiative aims to promote Indonesia as a favorite destination among Nepalese tourists, maintaining its presence in the market post-pandemic.
The sales mission was a collaborative effort between the Ministry, the Indonesian Embassy in Bangladesh and Nepal, and over 30 domestic tourism companies. Since the pandemic, Nepalese tourist arrivals in Indonesia have shown significant growth. In 2023, there was a 186% increase in tourist visits from Nepal compared to 2022. From January to July 2024, the number of Nepalese tourists reached 5,058, representing a 70.48% increase over the same period in 2023. In July 2024 alone, arrivals surged by 91.9% compared to July 2023.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ms. Ni Made Ayu Marthini, highlighted the continued positive growth of Nepalese tourists to Indonesia. “While the numbers aren’t as high as other top source countries, the upward trend shows that Indonesia is becoming increasingly popular with Nepalese tourists. Likewise, Indonesia has gained recognition among Nepalese youth seeking adventure,” Marthini said.
However, two major challenges remain: connectivity and visa access. “Although there is no direct flight from Nepal to Indonesia, we are working closely with tourism stakeholders in neighboring hub countries, like Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, which have direct flights to Indonesia,” Ms. Marthini said. She also noted that Nepalese tourists are not eligible for a visa on arrival (VoA) and must pay for a visa in advance. Despite this, she reassured tourism operators in Nepal that Indonesia offers the best value for money in the region. “Once visitors experience the beauty Indonesia has to offer, it’s worth every penny,” she added.
The Wonderful Indonesia Sales Mission introduced Nepalese stakeholders to Indonesia’s five Super Priority Destinations: Lake Toba, Borobudur Temple, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang. In addition, new tourism products were promoted, including MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions), family vacations, weddings, honeymoons, and luxury travel. Other popular destinations, such as Batam-Bintan, Bandung, and Bromo, were also reintroduced.
“Batam-Bintan offers an ideal getaway for South Asian tourists traveling via Singapore, with a ferry ride of less than an hour,” Marthini explained. Bandung’s appeal, enhanced by the new Whoosh fast train connecting it to Jakarta in just 30 minutes, and Bromo, which is easily accessible from Bali via Surabaya, were also highlighted as prime travel options for Nepalese visitors.
During her visit to Nepal, Ms. Marthini, alongside Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh and Nepal, Mr. Heru Hartanto Subolo, met with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to discuss ways to boost tourism between the two countries. The event concluded with the presentation of traditional Batik cloth and Luwak coffee souvenirs to NTB executives.
“Nepal and Indonesia share strong ties, and we are committed to making it easier for Nepalese tourists to visit Indonesia,” said Ambassador Heru Subolo. He also noted the key role of Indonesia’s Honorary Consul, Mr. Chandra Prasad Dhakal, in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy plans to continue hosting similar events and expanding promotional efforts in Nepal in the near future.
