Why India Is The Next Big Opportunity for Indonesian Tourism at OTM Mumbai and Chennai

The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism has made clear the intention to grow the Indian tourism sector for the Ministry to build firm ties with India. The Sales Mission in Chennai on February 3 was quickly followed by the Ministry’s participation in the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026 in Mumbai from February 5–7. These activities focus on the Indian market to assist with the conversion of demand to supply. In addition to the Indian market, the Ministry is looking to secure potential bookings in the range of billions of Indonesian rupiahs.

Indonesia at Outbound Travel Mart 2026

30 Indonesian tourism constituents from the Ministry of Tourism will participate in OTM Mumbai 2026. There will also be 20 Destination Management Companies (DMCs), 5 Travel Agents, 2 Hotels, 2 Restaurants, and 1 attraction. The objective will be to establish closer ties and tourism business potential.

Ni Made Ayu Marthini, the Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism, explained that the initiative would provide the Indian Tourism market the best of what Indonesia has to offer. It is understood that the ministry’s role will help deepen the relationship between the two countries, resulting in an increasing number of Indian holiday-makers visiting Indonesia to experience its natural and cultural treasures.

Setting Visitor and Revenue Projections for 2026

From the OTM Mumbai and Chennai Sales Mission, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism hopes to secure possible transactions totaling IDR 48 billion and target Indian tourist arrivals of 40,000. It is a huge improvement compared to the previous years, where similar events have proven successful in achieving the set objectives. For instance, in 2024, the ministry’s attendance at the OTM generated a forecast of possible transactions amounting to IDR 40.7 billion. The ministry’s attendance at OTM Mumbai this year is expected to add up to the great importance that the Indian market has on Indonesia’s tourism. Indian nationals have recently become an important source for the growth of Indonesia’s tourism.

Chennai: A Major Market for Indonesia

Chennai is one of the key cities in India for the Ministry of Tourism`s Sales Mission because of the potential of Chennai becoming a major tourism hotspot. With the large and rapidly growing middle to upper class in Chennai, as well as the considerable levels of literacy and interest in overseas travel, it is easy to understand why tourism is a growing area of interest. Chennai residents display a high level of economic growth, interest, and consumer capacity, especially in diverse tourism, including leisure, spiritual, wellness, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism.

Chennai is also notable for its large population, exceeding 11 million. Because of the rapidly expanding availability of disposable income, the potential for Chennai to become one of the major metropolitan areas to provide significant outbound travel to overseas destinations, like Indonesia, is also noteworthy. The Sales Mission in Chennai is part of a broader initiative to position Indonesia as one of the preferred options for travel for Indian citizens.

India’s Role as a Key Source of Tourists for Indonesia

In recent years, Indonesia has seen a growth in the number of tourists from India. Indonesia is reputed for its natural beauty and is a popular among Indian clientele. Internationally, Indian tourists have been the most consistent in terms of numbers and have been the most regular in terms of visiting Indonesia. Stats show that India contributed about 710,000 tourists to Indonesia in 2024, and in 2025, the number is expected to grow to about 734,000 tourists (3.42% growth). For the last 4 years, India has been recognized as a top 5 contributor to incoming tourism to Indonesia.

India’s outbound tourism and the growing relations between the two countries have been evident. With the growing number of Indian Travelers to the nation, the Ministry of Tourism has adapted its promotions to cater to the interests and preferences of Indian travelers with the offerings of nature-based tourism, cultural arts and crafts, wellness and spiritual tourism, and so forth.

Fostering Stronger Collaborative Efforts

As a result of these growing numbers, India is now ranked 6th in terms of foreign visitors to Indonesia. There is growing significance and proof of Indian tourism to Indonesia’s travel sector, and it has been well-documented. Dedi Ahmad Kurnia mentioned the positive correlation between the growing number of Indian travelers to Indonesia and the growing number of Indonesian tourists visiting India. The participation in OTM Mumbai is part of the Ministry’s recent initiatives to promote tourism in both countries further.

Along with the Sales Mission and OTM activities, the promotional initiatives received strong endorsements from the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Mumbai. This partnership exemplifies the Indonesian government’s willingness to collaborate with local partners and tourism stakeholders in deepening their tourism relations with India.

A Great Achievement of the Wonderful Indonesia Campaign

The Wonderful Indonesia Campaign, spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, has become a trademark of Indonesia’s tourism identity. From its tropical rainforests and unspoiled beaches to its cultural diversity and modern luxuries, the campaign has highlighted Indonesia’s offerings. As a result of the campaign, Indonesia has become one of the most popular tourism destinations in Southeast Asia.

The Wonderful Indonesia Campaign also focuses on the country’s rich and diverse cultures and foods. The campaign aims to position Indonesia as a flexible tourism destination, and in doing so, has forged strategic collaborations with international travel companies and the creative industry.

Strengthening the Indonesian Tourism Market in India

As Indonesia’s tourism sector continues to expand, India will be a cornerstone market for further growth. Thanks to its surging middle-class population, better access to the internet, and heightened interest in global travel, India presents great unexploited opportunities. The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism will continue its focus on marketing the country’s tourism diversity to the Indian consumer.

India will remain a primary market for the future Indonesian Tourism Brand, making it a key destination for Indian consumers. The Ministry of Tourism will continue its partnerships with Indian stakeholders and international tourism trade shows to sustain growth in Indian Tourist arrivals to Indonesia.

Conclusion

Indonesia’s involvement in OTM Mumbai 2026 and the Sales Mission in Chennai is aimed at positioning itself in the Indian tourism market. The Ministry of Tourism is promoting Indonesia as a top-of-mind destination for Indian travelers, through consistent engagement with Indian tourism stakeholders, setting strong revenue aspirations, and amplifying the Wonderful Indonesia brand. With the growing bilateral relationship, Indonesia is expecting a surge in Indian travelers, which will be advantageous for the tourism sector and the overall economies of the two countries.

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