According to CNBC Indonesia, The Central Statistics Agency reported that foreign tourist spending in the third quarter of 2024 averaged US$ 1,375.08, or about IDR 21.6 million per visit.
This represents a decline from the second quarter of 2024, when the average expenditure was US$ 1,443.70, or approximately IDR 22.7 million per visit.
Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, the Acting Head of Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency, explained that this decrease in spending is due to various factors, including changes in tourist behavior and shifts in tourism expenses.
Despite the drop in the average amount spent per visitor, the data highlights where tourists are focusing their spending during their trips to Indonesia.
Largest Portion of Foreign Tourist Spending
The largest portion of foreign tourist expenditure went to accommodation, which accounted for 36.95% of total spending. This suggests that tourists continue to prioritize comfortable and high-quality lodging.
Popular destinations like Bali, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta often see a significant share of tourist spending directed toward hotels and resorts. As a result, accommodation remains a key factor in Indonesia’s tourism economy.
Food and beverages were the second-largest category of spending, at 19.73%, slightly up from 19.39% in the previous quarter.
This suggests that dining experiences remain a strong attraction for tourists, with Indonesia’s rich culinary culture being one of the main reasons visitors come to the country. Whether it’s local street food or fine dining, food and drink experiences continue to be a priority for travelers.
Tourist Spending Shifts: Focus on Experiences
Other categories of tourist spending showed some shifts. Spending on shopping and souvenirs, for instance, decreased to 10.80% in Q3 2024, down from 11.04% in Q2. This may reflect a growing trend where tourists prefer experiences over material goods, or simply a shift in the types of souvenirs being purchased.
Meanwhile, spending on local tour packages also dropped, from 9.22% in Q2 to 8.06% in Q3, indicating that tourists may be opting for more independent travel or customized experiences rather than traditional packaged tours.
According to Kontan.co.id, Entertainment expenses also saw a slight decline, falling to 7.42% from 7.60% in the previous quarter. This could be due to a variety of factors, including tourists seeking outdoor or nature-based activities over traditional entertainment.
Likewise, spending on local transportation dropped slightly, from 5.75% to 5.72%, perhaps due to more tourists using ride-sharing services or opting for walking in urban areas.
On a more positive note, some categories saw an increase in spending. Expenditures on domestic flights grew slightly to 4.3%, up from 4.22%.
This could indicate that tourists are exploring different parts of Indonesia, perhaps flying to lesser-known or remote destinations. Spending on vehicle rentals also increased from 2.67% to 2.91%, suggesting that tourists are increasingly renting vehicles to explore at their own pace.
Expenditures on health and beauty services saw a minor decrease, dropping to 1.07% from 1.15%, while spending on training or educational experiences also showed a small dip, moving from 0.32% to 0.34%. Other miscellaneous expenses saw a slight increase, from 2.63% to 2.72%.
Overall, Indonesia’s tourism sector is showing positive signs of recovery. From January to September 2024, the total number of foreign tourist visits reached 10.37 million, reflecting a 20.28% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
This growth is a clear indication that Indonesia remains an attractive destination for international tourists, despite the slight decrease in average spending.
Sources: CNBC Indonesia, Kontan.co.id
image: via AsiaToday
