Driving Indian Tourist Visits: Jakarta Attends Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) India 2025

TIH Bureau, New Dehli | The Jakarta Provincial Government, through its Department of Tourism and Creative Economy (Disparekraf), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, has taken a strategic step by participating in Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) India 2025. 

The event is being held from September 2–4, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, India. This participation is a tangible effort to strengthen Jakarta's position on the global tourism map and capitalize on the huge potential of the Indian market as one of the largest sources of international tourist arrivals.

Rising Interest of Indian Tourists in Indonesia, India is one of the fastest-growing source markets for outbound tourism worldwide. In 2024, India recorded its highest peak in international travel, driven by the expanding middle class and increasing global connectivity. This potential is expected to continue rising, with projections reaching 29 million international trips by 2025 and an outbound market value up to USD 62 billion by 2026.

For Indonesia, the Indian market is proving increasingly important. Throughout 2024, India held the 6th position for the highest number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia, with a total of 710,688 arrivals. Based on this trend, Indonesia is targeting 800,000 Indian tourist visits in 2025.

"The Indian market holds immense and strategic potential for Jakarta," said Andhika Permata, Head of the Jakarta Department of Tourism and Creative Economy. "We see a growing trend of Indian tourists who favor urban destinations like Jakarta, both for leisure and MICE purposes. 

Through ITB India 2025, we are not only promoting Jakarta’s beauty and dynamism but also building sustainable business relationships with Indian tourism stakeholders."
Jakarta’s participation in this major Indian tourism fair aims to harness this potential. 

The Jakarta delegation, led by the Secretary of Disparekraf, Helma Dahlia, brought 7 co-exhibitors to the Wonderful Indonesia Pavilion, showcasing a variety of premium travel packages, from shopping and culinary tours to historical and MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference, and Exhibition) offerings.

Jakarta's Promotional Focus: "Enjoy More The Unexpected of Jakarta"
At ITB India 2025, Jakarta's seven co-exhibitors include: 4 Tour Operators/Travel Agents (Nusa Ina Leisure Indonesia Specialist, Varatrip, Adventure Indonesia DMC, and PT Satguru Travel And Tours), 2 Hotels (DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Diponegoro and Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel), and 1 Tourist Attraction (Jakarta Aquarium – Taman Safari Indonesia).

The pavilion featured unique activities to draw visitors. Guests were invited to enjoy a modern Jamu (traditional Indonesian herbal drink) concoction by Acaraki from Jakarta, presented interactively daily with a focus on wellness. This approach highlights how Indonesia's cultural heritage can be packaged as modern, healthy, and relevant to the wellness tourism trend for international visitors.

Hundreds of visitors had the opportunity to sample fresh Jamu while enjoying cultural attractions and participating in creative activities such as batik etching. The Wonderful Indonesia Pavilion was decorated with distinct Betawi cultural nuances, featuring ondel-ondel ornaments and kembang kelapa with bright, dominating colors. 

Jakarta also brought the Abang None Jakarta tourism ambassadors, who performed the traditional Nandak Betawi dance, making Jakarta a distinct highlight for event attendees.

"We are seeing a very positive trend from the Chinese market. They are not just visiting once but repeatedly. Jakarta has everything they are looking for: shopping, culture, food, friendly people, and a MICE destination," said Sherly Yuliana, Head of the Marketing and Attractions Division.

With continuous targets to increase international tourist arrivals, participation in ITB India 2025 is expected to be a catalyst for boosting visits from Indian tourists to Jakarta and strengthening the brand awareness of Jakarta as a dynamic, safe, and enjoyable destination for all.

Lucky Wulandari, Head of the Foreign Tourism Marketing Subgroup, concluded, "Through this Sales Mission, Disparekraf DKI Jakarta hopes to solidify Jakarta’s position as a 'must-visit urban destination' for Indian tourists, while opening long-term cooperation opportunities with tourism industry players in India."