The Tourism Ministry is preparing measures to anticipate a potential loss of up to 60,000 inbound tourists as the United States–Israeli war on Iran disrupts the global travel industry. The closure of Iranian airspace since the initial wave of attacks on Feb. 28 has affected flights across six major aviation hubs, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Jeddah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia, and Muscat in Oman.
These disruptions have led to the cancellation of around 770 flights to Jakarta, Bali’s capital Denpasar, and North Sumatra’s capital Medan, according to the ministry. As a result, Indonesia could lose up to 60,000 international visitors, along with an estimated IDR 2.04 trillion (US$120.6 million) in potential foreign exchange earnings.
“Global geopolitical dynamics are putting pressure on the tourism sector. However, we will continue to take mitigation steps to maintain our national tourism targets,” Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said in a statement on Wednesday.
The ministry also highlighted mounting pressure from rising global energy prices. Crude oil prices have surged by more than 50 percent, from around $67 per barrel before the conflict to over $100 per barrel within its first month. Consequently, fuel surcharges imposed by several global airlines are expected to increase, driving up overall transportation costs.
On April 1, state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina raised aviation turbine fuel (avtur) prices by around 70 percent for domestic flights and 80 percent for international flights compared with the previous month. This move has prompted the Indonesia National Air Carriers Association (INACA) to renew its call for adjustments to both fuel surcharges and airfare price ceilings. The association initially proposed a 15 percent increase but has since called for further adjustments in response to the sharper-than-expected rise in jet fuel prices.
Despite these challenges, the Tourism Ministry remains committed to achieving this year’s target of 16–17.6 million foreign visitors. To navigate the growing pressures on international travel, the ministry is pursuing a “market pivot” toward Southeast Asia, East Asia, and other medium-haul destinations. Its mitigation strategies include strengthening digital campaigns in international markets and optimizing partnerships with airlines operating direct routes to Europe and the United States. The government also plans to host international events in border regions and intensify travel promotions to sustain occupancy rates in domestic tourist destinations.
“Amid global pressures, we need to be more adaptable. Market diversification, stronger promotion, and optimizing domestic tourism are key to ensuring the sector remains a driving force of the national economy,” Widiyanti said.
She added that collaboration among ministries, institutions, and the House of Representatives will be essential to maintaining the sector’s resilience and contribution to national economic growth. The government is also pursuing several strategic measures, including flight incentives, visa-free policies, increased flight capacity, and expanded budgets for tourism promotion.
April 2, 2026, The Jakarta Post(https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2026/04/02/ri-to-lose-60000-foreign-visitors-to-mideast-crisis-tourism-ministry.html)