Senior Minister Airlangga Hartarto has proposed a “micro-tourism” strategy as a safety net for the local economy. This model encourages Indonesians to explore destinations within a short radius of their homes through curated “hidden gem” packages and transportation discounts. By promoting regional spots like Sumba for nearby residents of NTT and neighboring islands, the government aims to maintain steady tourism revenue regardless of international arrival fluctuations.
Sumba had demonstrated a record-breaking tourism spending from international visitors in the final quarter of 2025. Combined with the recent tourism standards regulation initiative and micro-tourism trend, this surge can potentially boost Sumba’s growing tourism industry even further.