WNAM REPORT: Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism recorded Rp12.8 billion (US$721,100) in potential transactions from a business mission in Pune, India, as it seeks to expand tourism industry ties and attract more Indian travelers.
The Sales Mission Pune 2026, held on Friday at Crowne Plaza Pune City Centre by IHG, brought Indonesian tourism companies together with travel agents and tour operators from Pune and surrounding areas.
Deputy Minister for Marketing at the Tourism Ministry Ni Made Ayu Marthini said the event followed Indonesia’s participation in ITB India 2026 in Mumbai, which aimed to expand distribution of Indonesian tourism products.
“Going forward, we will continue to strengthen collaboration with travel associations, airlines, online travel platforms, and industry players in India so that Wonderful Indonesia increasingly becomes a top-of-mind destination for Indian travelers,” Made said in an official statement confirmed in Jakarta on Sunday (Sept 6).
The ministry said the business-to-business event generated estimated travel movements involving 1,582 Indian tourists, reflecting demand for Indonesian destinations among potential buyers in Pune.
The mission featured 12 Indonesian tourism companies and industry players promoting products from Jakarta, Bali, Borobudur, Lake Toba, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, Raja Ampat, Batam-Bintan, Borneo, Lombok and other destinations beyond Bali.
Participants included destination management companies, hotels, tour operators and restaurants, offering products tailored to several segments of the Indian market.
According to the ministry, tourism industry players in Pune showed particular interest in free independent travelers, honeymooners and couples, as well as luxury tourism.
“Improved destination accessibility and the uniqueness of Indonesian tourism products are important factors attracting their interest. The most popular destinations include Bali, Borobudur-Yogyakarta-Prambanan, and Gili-Lombok,” Made said.
The ministry said it also aims to increase the number of Indonesian tourism products and destinations included in travel catalogs used by Indian industry players, supporting sustained growth in Indian arrivals to Indonesia.
Pune was selected for the sales mission because of its rapid economic growth and status as Maharashtra’s second-largest city after Mumbai. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than seven million.
The city has developed major technology, manufacturing, education, and startup sectors, while relatively high household incomes have increased its potential as a source market for international tourism.
Maharashtra has India’s largest state economy, with a gross domestic product of about US$650 billion, providing a large base of consumers with the financial capacity to travel internationally.
