Interview with the Indonesian Consulate General in Mumbai
Mewati Sitaram Editor-in-Chief Mumbai Messenger Newspaper spoke with the Acting Consul General, His Excellency Tolhah Ubaidi – Indonesian Consulate General in Mumbai about the latest post-pandemic trends in Indonesian tourism, particularly concerning global tourists and the growing number of Indian visitors. The interview highlighted the increasing interest in Indonesian tourism and the collaborative efforts to foster cultural understanding and enhance tourism opportunities between the two countries.
Post-pandemic, what is the latest trend in Indonesia for global tourists?
Indonesian tourism has been thriving since it reopened in the middle of last year, starting with Bali. By the end of 2022, Indian nationals became the second-largest group of foreign visitors to Bali and the fourth-largest to Indonesia. This growth is particularly impressive considering that there are no direct flights between India and Indonesia.
How many tourists visited Indonesia last year and this year?
In 2022, the total number of tourists visiting Indonesia was 5.47 million, representing a remarkable increase of 251.28% compared to the total number of tourists in 2021. Furthermore, from January to May 2023, there has been a 312.91% increase in tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2022, with 4,118,521 tourists visiting Indonesia.
Which country has the largest number of tourists that have arrived?
From January to May 2023, the main source countries of foreign visitors to Indonesia were Malaysia (17.20%), Australia (12.24%), Singapore (11.98%), Timor Leste (7.56%), China (5.71%), and India (5.38%).
Which were the favourite destinations for tourists?
While most travellers visiting Indonesia have a strong desire to experience Bali and its numerous attractions, tourists from different countries have their own preferences. Indian tourists, for example, often travel to Indonesia with family members or as independent travellers, particularly in the Free Independent Travelers (FIT) category. A growing number of Indian tourists visit Indonesia to attend weddings, meetings, or for their honeymoons. They tend to seek destinations with rich cultural and religious content, such as Bali and Yogyakarta. Additionally, Indonesian authorities are actively promoting the “5 Super Priority Destinations”: Mandalika in Lombok Island, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Likupang in North Sulawesi, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, and Borobudur in Central Java.
Lombok is one of the beautiful tourist destinations. What steps have you taken to attract more tourists?
Lombok, being the closest island to the east of Bali, is easily accessible and offers similar natural and cultural attractions with fewer tourists. Since early 2022, Lombok Airport has undergone extensive renovations to welcome teams and visitors to the Mandalika race circuit, where world MotoGP and Superbike races are held. Moreover, Lombok can be reached via a 90-minute fast ferry ride from Bali.
How many Indian tourists visited Indonesia?
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of Indian visitors to Indonesia reached a peak of 657,000 travelers per year. In 2022, during the period between January and May, 221,000 Indians visited Indonesia, which represents an 816% increase compared to the same period in 2021.
Are you planning to add direct flights from India to various destinations? What are your expected numbers of tourist arrivals in Indonesia?
Tourist arrivals have increased significantly this year compared to 2022, and airlines from both countries acknowledge the substantial increase in Indian travellers, exceeding 500% year-on-year. Indigo will commence flights on the Mumbai-Jakarta route from August 7, 2023, while Batik Air will begin flying the Chennai-Medan route starting on August 11, 2023. Direct flights can now be booked for Indonesia holidays, and additional routes are expected to be added by the end of the year. With the added convenience of direct flights, it is anticipated that the number of Indian tourists visiting Indonesia will experience a substantial surge.
Can you highlight some recent successful initiatives or collaborations undertaken by the Consulate General to strengthen cultural, educational, or people-to-people exchanges between Indonesia and India?
The Indonesian Consulate General in Mumbai, in collaboration with the Indian Council on Cultural Relations (ICCR), brought the premier dance troupe that performs the Ramayana epic to India last year. The troupe regularly performs on the main stage of the Hindu Temple Compound of Prambanan in Yogyakarta, Central Java. They performed a condensed version of the Ramayana epic in Mumbai, Surat, and Ahmedabad, and also participated as Indonesia’s representative in the grand Ramayana Festival 2023 in Ayodhya. These performances deeply resonated with the Indian audience, highlighting the shared reverence for the story of Rama, Sita, and Hanuman in Indonesian culture.
In December 2022 and March 2023, the Indonesian Consulate General organized a Mini-Bazaar that showcased Indonesian culinary favorites, as well as batik and other cultural artifacts. Visitors had the opportunity to appreciate the similarities between Indonesian dishes and national attire.
Currently, the Consulate General is offering online classes for Indians interested in learning Bahasa Indonesia, in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Education. These classes, held twice a week, cater to both beginners and intermediate learners. Participants often find it surprising how many Indonesian words have roots in the Sanskrit language, making the learning process easier. For daily updates and more information, individuals can follow the Indonesian Consulate General on Instagram at @IndonesiaInMumbai.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
