DENPASAR, BALI – The tendency to prioritize foreign tourists over domestic travelers must stop, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa said in Denpasar on Saturday (June 22), stressing that local tourists are the true backbone of Indonesia’s tourism industry. Speaking at a public lecture at Mahendradatta University, she urged destinations like Bali to offer equal treatment to all visitors.

Data from the Ministry of Tourism show that domestic tourist trips in 2024 reached 1 billion—far exceeding the pre-pandemic figure of 722.2 million. “This reflects a strong and rapid recovery,” Puspa said. “It shows that domestic tourists are the backbone of national tourism. Thus, we must not discriminate against domestic tourists.”

She warned that tourism destinations must not favor foreign tourists at the expense of locals, who have proven their loyalty even during the most difficult times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The perception that international tourists bring more spending power often drives destination operators to focus more on foreign markets. However, Puspa emphasized that this approach risks marginalizing domestic travelers, who continue to play a foundational role in the industry’s resilience and growth.

Puspa clarified that although the Ministry is pushing for “quality tourism,” the focus is not on favoring certain segments. “Our goal is to improve tourism from within so that all visitors, both local and international, enjoy a safe, healthy, and quality experience,” she said.

The Ministry’s quality tourism concept emphasizes infrastructure, safety, service standards, and environmental health—not on excluding or labeling visitors. “We aim to attract high-quality, big-spending tourists through improvement, not discrimination,” she added.

For 2025, the government has set targets of 1.08 billion domestic trips and up to 16 million international arrivals. “We are always optimistic, but we can’t do this alone. We need collaboration from all sectors, including universities and local communities,” Puspa concluded.

For 2025, the government has set targets of 1.08 billion domestic trips and up to 16 million international arrivals. “We are always optimistic, but we can’t do this alone. We need collaboration from all sectors, including universities and local communities,” Puspa concluded.