Indonesia and South Africa launch seven-point tourism partnership to boost sustainable travel

Indonesian Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana and South African Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in tourism through a new partnership covering seven strategic areas, aiming to promote sustainable growth and strengthen long-term ties between the two emerging economies.

The agreement was confirmed following high-level talks in Jakarta, where both sides underlined their shared commitment to developing tourism on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and respect for national sovereignty, as reported by ANTARA.

Under the framework, cooperation will focus on sustainable tourism development, human capital and skills training, joint marketing and promotion, tourism investment, safety and service standards, research and innovation, as well as broader sector-wide initiatives. Together, these areas are intended to support a more resilient, inclusive and competitive tourism industry in both countries.

South Africa was described as a promising partner in tourism cooperation. According to Statistics Indonesia, 36,548 South African tourists visited Indonesia in 2025.

Widiyanti noted that the signing of a memorandum of understanding would help both countries move towards a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism model.

South African Minister of Tourism welcomed Indonesia’s initiative, highlighting the importance of improving connectivity between the two countries. She expressed hope that cooperation would lead to an increase in direct flights, noting that around 3,000 Indonesians visited South Africa last year.

Officials noted that tourism already plays a growing role in bilateral exchanges. Tens of thousands of South African visitors travelled to Indonesia in 2025, while outbound travel from Indonesia to South Africa is also showing steady growth, highlighting the untapped potential for two-way tourism.

Improving air connectivity emerged as a key priority during discussions, alongside measures to facilitate travel, enhance visitor experience and develop joint promotional campaigns in international markets. Greater cooperation in these areas is expected to stimulate visitor numbers and diversify tourism offerings.

The partnership was formalised through the signing of a memorandum of understanding, following closed bilateral consultations that also addressed implementation timelines and practical steps to boost tourism flows, including coordination on visas and destination promotion.

Both sides described the agreement as a significant step towards building a sustainable and future-orientated tourism relationship that can deliver economic benefits while supporting environmental and social objectives.