Not Japan Or Korea, This Country Becomes Indonesian Tourists' Favorite After Malaysia

For many Indonesian tourists, Malaysia has long been a comfortable transitional space. A nearby yet vibrant destination, from tempting shopping spots in Kuala Lumpur's heart to familiar culinary delights.

However, the national tourist mobility map now reveals a new direction. After Malaysia, Saudi Arabia has emerged as the most chosen country by Indonesian travelers.

Latest data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in its October 2025 Tourism Development report shows Malaysia remains atop the list of national tourist visits.

"Malaysia is the primary destination for national tourists traveling abroad at 28.40 percent. This figure decreased by 0.52 percentage points compared to the previous month," quoted from the official BPS release on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

Interestingly, ASEAN countries still dominate Indonesia's top ten tourist destination list. Yet amid this dominance, Saudi Arabia captured attention with a significant leap.

Saudi Arabia became the second most visited country after Malaysia at 17.85 percent. Meanwhile, Singapore ranked third at 12.79 percent of total national tourist trips in October 2025.

The rising interest in Saudi Arabia is no longer solely for religious pilgrimages. In recent years, the kingdom has undergone massive transformation—from revitalizing historical sites to developing futuristic destinations like NEOM and AlUla.

This transformation opens new horizons for Indonesian tourists seeking broader experiences beyond religion.

Spaces once synonymous with pilgrims now evolve into modern tourism landscapes. Interactive museums, desert reservoirs transformed into water sports oases, and technologically-enhanced historical area restorations pique Indonesian travelers' curiosity.

Malaysia (28.40%) remained Indonesian tourists' top overseas destination in October 2025. Followed by Saudi Arabia (17.85%), Singapore (12.79%), China (7.8%), Japan (4.18%), Thailand (3.66%), Timor Leste (3.63%), Cambodia (2.36%), South Korea (1.93%) and Australia (1.79%).