By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The "Indonesia Business Matching 2025" hosted by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE) successfully finished at the Lotte Hotel in Busan on Nov. 4.

The tourism promotion event attracted over 50 travel industry professionals from the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions, significantly exceeding the initial capacity of 30.

The event was attended by key figures from the Indonesian Tourism Board, including Bayu Aji, Chief of Staff to the Indonesian Minister of Tourism; Ali Andika Wardhana, Chargé d'Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Korea; and Yulia, Second Deputy Minister for International Tourism Marketing. The event was hosted by Daisy Park, former Director of the Indonesian Tourism Authority (VITO Korea).

According to the "Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Update" presented by Assistant Minister Yulia, the number of Korean visitors to Indonesia in 2024 reached 436,054, a 25.6% increase from the previous year, ranking 7th among visitors by country. From January to August 2025, 331,488 Koreans have already visited Indonesia, continuing a strong year-on-year growth trend.

Bali, Jakarta, Batam, and Yogyakarta are the most popular Indonesian destinations for Korean travelers, with a diverse range of travel styles, including marine tourism, culinary experiences, arts and culture exploration, adventure travel, and ecotourism.

The Busan travel industry's particular interest in Indonesian tourism stems from its improved accessibility. Air Busan operates four flights a week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) between Busan and Bali (Denpasar), while Jeju Air operates daily flights between Incheon and Bali and twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday) between Incheon and Batam. This allows Busan travelers to access various Indonesian destinations without having to transit in Incheon.

Bali, in particular, is a world-renowned resort and center of Hindu culture, boasting a beautiful landscape of temples, beaches, and rice terraces. Batam and Bintan, tropical islands located an hour by ferry from Singapore, are ideal for golf and water sports. Lombok, an island next to Bali, boasts unspoiled nature and the emerald waters of the Gili Islands.