Sector
Tourism
Indonesia has designated tourism as a primary sector with a strong commitment to integrated infrastructure development and the enhancement of skilled and quality human resources. In 2023, the realization of investment in the tourism sector was predominantly driven by domestic investment (PMDN), reaching Rp 14.9 trillion. The PMDN funds were allocated to various types of businesses, including Rp 8.228 billion for star-rated hotels in West Nusa Tenggara, Rp2.601 billion for tourism areas in DKI Jakarta, and Rp1.656 billion for restaurants in Bali.
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Tourism
Indonesia has designated tourism as a primary sector with a strong commitment to integrated infrastructure development and the enhancement of skilled and quality human resources. In 2023, the realization of investment in the tourism sector was predominantly driven by domestic investment (PMDN), reaching Rp 14.9 trillion. The PMDN funds were allocated to various types of businesses, including Rp 8.228 billion for star-rated hotels in West Nusa Tenggara, Rp2.601 billion for tourism areas in DKI Jakarta, and Rp1.656 billion for restaurants in Bali.
Indonesia has identified 10 priority tourism destinations, including Borobudur, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, Bromo Tengger Semeru, Thousand Islands, Lake Toba, Wakatobi, Tanjung Lesung, Morotai, and Tanjung Kelayang. Both domestic and international tourists constitute the country’s tourism market potential. In 2023, the number of foreign tourist visits reached 11.68 million, with the largest contributions coming from Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, China, and East Timor. This increase in visits also corresponds with the growth of tourism foreign exchange earnings, which reached US$6.08 billion in the first semester of 2023.
Major provinces attracting international tourists include Bali, DKI Jakarta, Riau Islands, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Java. Meanwhile, the number of domestic tourist trips in 2023 reached 749,114,709 trips, with DKI Jakarta, DI Yogyakarta, and East Java having the highest travel ratios.
Aside from the tourism sector, Indonesia’s creative economy sector has also shown significant growth, with exports reaching US$11.82 billion in the first half of 2023. The fashion subsector is the main contributor with US$6.56 billion (55.52 percent), followed by culinary products with US$4.46 billion (37.70 percent), and crafts with US$792.67 million (6.71 percent).
Moreover, the sector has realized US$225.28 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) and US$577.87 million in domestic direct investment (DDI) in the first quarter of 2023 out of the sector’s total target investment of US$2.68 billion in 2022. The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry targets investment in this sector to reach US$6-8 billion, with the hope of creating 4.4 million new jobs in 2024. This investment fund is planned to be allocated for the development of five-star hotel accommodations in super-priority tourism destination areas (DPSP) and 10 other priority tourism destinations.
Meanwhile, realized investments in the tourism sector in 2022 amounted to US$2.33 billion. Furthermore, FDI also contributes significantly, especially reaching Rp8.7 trillion from Singapore amounting to Rp2.458 billion, followed by Hong Kong with Rp1.720 billion, and India with Rp1.385 billion.
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Hundreds of visitors beheld the opening of International Mask Festival 2025 at the Pendapa Gede Hall of Surakarta "Solo" City, Central Java Province, on Nov. 14, 2025.
Under dim lighting that illuminated the stage, the Semarak Candrakirana dancers performed the Janma Krodha dance, a work that blended traditional discipline and contemporary energy. Dressed in white with gold accents, the dancers moved nimbly to the rhythm of gamelan music, occasionally interspersed with modern rhythmic music.
Their body movements depicted four basic human traits; amarah (anger), aluamah (desire), supiyah (passion), and mutmainah (serenity), which were then visualized through stretches of white, black, red, and yellow cloth. The audience listened silently, as if immersed in the story of human birth conveyed through body language.
International Mask Festival 2025 Chief Executive Putri Pramesti Wigaringtyas explained said that the festival was a stage where masks reigned supreme.
"Masks are not just art objects; they are symbols that represent the traditions, folklore, and social values of a nation," she added in her opening remarks for International Mask Festival 2025.
The festival had "Awesome Mask" as its theme for this year, affirming that masks remain a powerful medium for conveying messages about identity and humanity amid rapid changes brought by the passage of time.
Solo Mayor Respati Ardi called the festival a testament to the city's commitment to remain a cultural center that embraces both tradition and modern creativity.
International Mask Festival 2025 is a multinational celebration involving 21 artists from Indonesia and abroad. Banda Neira also returned after a hiatus as guest performers for the event.
The festival was comprised of a contemporary mask exhibition, an international conference on masks, and a culinary bazaar for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
"The International Mask Festival presents itself with a different face every year. We want visitors to always discover something new," said Putri.
DWM Dance Academy founder Khin Mon Thu is performing in Surakarta for the first time through the festival. The coreographer from Myanmar said she was impressed by the way the International Mask Festival embraced the younger generation and provides a space for intercultural dialogue.
"In Myanmar, we have mask performances, but there's no festival like this. I came to learn. Next year, I want to bring a crew and introduce our mask culture here," said Khin.
Her collaboration with the Semarak Candrakirana dance studio made this year's festival feel more lively through a meeting of two different, yet complementary, traditions.
The International Mask Festival's inclusion in Karisma Event Nusantara 2025, the Tourism Ministry's flagship program, has further expanded its reach. Thus, Solo Culture and Tourism Office Head Siti Khotimah hopes the festival will be a magnet for tourists.
"We want people to come to Solo specifically to see the IMF, and then to enjoy the city," she said.
