February 10, 2026 | 10:49 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chinese New Year celebrations have become a significant momentum for the Indonesian tourism industry. There has been an interesting shift in the travel patterns of the Indonesian people, both in international destinations and domestic homecoming trips. Furthermore, the influx of tourists arrival Indonesia during the same period remains high.
According to the booking data from Trip.com, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Jeddah are among the top destinations for Indonesian tourists, due to geographic proximity and ease of access.
But there's a surprising twist. Medina saw an extraordinary surge in bookings of over 500% compared to the previous year. Additionally, winter destinations such as Sapporo skyrocketed by 250%, followed by Adelaide nearing 200%.
This indicates growing explorations by Indonesian tourists in choosing vacation destinations.
Homecoming Tradition and Domestic Tourism
Despite many traveling abroad, the homecoming tradition during the Chinese New Year holiday remains a strong phenomenon. Khrisna Arya, the General Manager of Trip.com Indonesia, mentioned that nearly a quarter of tourists opt for domestic routes.
"The Chinese New Year in Indonesia is unique because it combines the excitement of the celebration with the lively homecoming tradition," said Khrisna in a written statement received by Tempo on February 9, 2026.
Routes such as Jakarta-Pontianak and Jakarta-Medan have become the busiest routes, reflecting the concentration of people celebrating the Lunar New Year in their hometowns. The peak of the traditional homecoming trip is estimated to fall on February 13 to 15, 2026.
The Allure of Indonesian Destinations
Not only are local residents traveling, but Indonesia is also flooded with foreign tourists. China, Malaysia, and Singapore are the major contributors. The main attractions are centered around Bali and Lombok, with popular destinations such as Nusa Penida, Waterbom Bali, and Borobudur Temple being the most booked attractions. Indonesia's cultural richness, history, and uniqueness continue to be the main factors attracting many tourists.
In addition to these countries, Indonesia is beginning to attract a broader market. Tourists from Italy, New Zealand, and Germany are showing significant growth, proving Indonesia's cultural and natural appeal to international communities.
For travelers, data shows that 43% of bookings are now made more than 60 days before departure. This indicates that thorough planning is the key for people to celebrate this year's Chinese New Year holiday.
Imanda Zahwa contributed to the writing of this article
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