REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DENPASAR -- Indonesia recorded 13 million foreign tourist arrivals from January to August 2024 out of the total 17 million arrivals targeted for this year.

The average expenditure of foreign tourists while traveling in Indonesia has reached USD1,500 per visit, according to Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno.

"This achievement is around 50 percent higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic (period)," Uno stated on the sidelines of the 1st International Tourism Quality Conference in Bali, Friday.

The minister explained that the increase in foreign tourist spending was achieved through a focus on developing a 3S strategy, namely serenity, spirituality, and sustainability.

"Previously, we focused on the other 3S, namely sun, sea, and sand," he remarked.

The average length of stay of foreign tourists in Indonesia as of May 2024 was 7.51 nights, or lower than the period of 7.87 nights recorded in May 2023.

The government has a target of foreign tourist visits to Indonesia in 2024 to reach 17 million people, seven million of which are expected to be contributed by Bali.

In order to encourage domestic tourism, he highlighted the communication strategy in tourism marketing 2024-2025 by involving millennials and members of Generation Z as the targets.

The strategy also involves remote workers, young families, travelers, and communities with high spending, including retirees.

"Especially (members of) Generation Z, they are familiar with the geography, young adult families who are looking for their first experience in Indonesia, not only in Bali but also five other super priorities (tourism destinations) such as Labuan Bajo, Lake Toba, Borobudur, Mandalika, and Likupang," Uno stated.

On the other hand, the government is also aiming to improve Indonesia's tourism index ranking, currently at 22nd position in the world, an increase as compared to its previous rank of 32nd.