By Antaranews

Jakarta – The governments of Indonesia alongside Saudi Arabia have agreed to enhance cooperation in the tourism sector, including in the provision of professional human resources.

Indonesian Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, when contacted by ANTARA on Monday, stated that the cooperation agreement between the two countries also covers efforts to increase tourist visits with investment in tourism businesses.

Saudi Mega-Projects Create Opportunities for Indonesian Tourism Professionals

According to her, the Saudi government will open opportunities for professional workers from Indonesia to work in the tourism business sector in the country. Saudi Arabia is currently developing mega tourism projects, including King Salman Park, which will eventually require many professional workers.

In this regard, Wardhana affirmed that the Indonesian government is ready to send professional human resources in the tourism sector to Saudi Arabia, among others, tourism development specialists with guides.

Reciprocal Tourism Growth Targets Market Expansion Beyond Religious Pilgrimage

The Indonesian government aims to attract more tourists from Saudi Arabia to visit tourist destinations across Indonesia. Likewise, the Saudi government seeks to draw more Indonesian citizens to visit its tourist attractions, in addition to the pilgrimage to Mecca with Medina.

To achieve this, the minister stated that the governments of Indonesia alongside Saudi Arabia will facilitate easier travel for tourists from both countries.

She added that both governments will also hold joint tourism promotions with exhibitions, as well as exchange information in the tourism sector.

Investment Incentives Target Priority Destinations, Key Regional Hubs

In addition, the Indonesian government will facilitate Saudi Arabian investors who wish to invest in the tourism industry, particularly in the 10 priority tourist destinations, as well as the Jakarta, Bali, Riau Islands regions.

According to her, the number of tourist visits from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia tends to increase. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded that in 2024, the arrivals of tourists from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia reached 135,643, reflecting an increase of 25.96 percent compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, from January to September 2025, the number of arrivals has reached 113,685.

High-Level Ministerial Meeting Establishes Framework for Enhanced Collaboration

Earlier, on November 8, Minister Wardhana paid a visit to Saudi Arabia, where she held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb. In the meeting, the two ministers discussed efforts to enhance both countries’ tourism cooperation.

Original Article:

ANTARA News. (2025). Indonesia, Saudi Arabia to enhance tourism cooperation. ANTARA. Retrieved from https://en.antaranews.com/news/393533/indonesia-saudi-arabia-to-enhance-tourism-cooperation