Most of Indonesia Still Struggles With Tourism Compared to Bali.
Indonesia’s beauty stretches far beyond Bali, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta, yet many regions still struggle to attract and retain tourists. After spending more than two decades travelling and living in Indonesia, I have seen the same pattern repeat: everyone wants visitors, but few invest in the systems that make tourism work. From slow service to limited healthcare and payment options, these small gaps create big barriers. Tourism growth is not only about stunning views or good food. It depends on how easy, safe, and comfortable a destination makes every visit, from arrival to checkout.
Recently, I read an article asking why most parts of Indonesia have not seen the same tourism success as Bali, Jakarta, or Yogyakarta. After more than 26 years of travelling here and seven years living full-time in Indonesia, the answer seems simple.
Everyone wants tourism. Everyone wants people to visit their cafés, shop at their stores, and try their local dishes. But what many places miss is the infrastructure that supports all of it.
In Bali, I can get laundry done in three hours. In Jakarta, it takes two to three days. In Labuan Bajo, fast service is still rare. In Bali, if you feel sick, you can call someone to bring IV fluids or medicine to your hotel at any time of day or night. Those small conveniences make all the difference.
In the West, tourists expect quick service and reliable systems. In Danau Toba, everything moves about fifty percent slower. Many payments still rely on cash or bank transfers, which is not convenient for foreign visitors who may not have local accounts. I even found one café that only accepted cashless payments. There is nothing wrong with that, but if you want tourism, you have to cater to tourists.
Yes, Bali and Jakarta have traffic problems, but with good timing, you can avoid most of it. More importantly, they have built systems that make visiting easy, even when things go wrong.
What’s The Benchmark?
If every destination treated Bali as a benchmark, tourism across Indonesia could grow far beyond what it is today. You need healthcare for foreigners, clinics that are easy to reach, and restaurants and shops ready to handle international payments. Tourists will not return to a place where roads are broken, floods are frequent, and services are slow.
Bali has made real progress since the G20. Floods and congestion remain challenges, but things are improving.
That success has also brought new problems. The growing mix of demographics in Bali has led to more crime, drugs, and violence. The government must strengthen law enforcement and deal with corruption. Bribes and shortcuts only make progress harder.
Many Indonesians do not want their hometowns to become another Bali. That is understandable. But the goal is not to copy Bali. It is to learn from it. Take what works, like service, healthcare access, safety, and infrastructure. Avoid what does not, like uncontrolled development. That is how other regions can build sustainable tourism without losing their identity.
Tourism in Indonesia has incredible potential beyond Bali, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta, but progress depends on consistent infrastructure and reliable service. Visitors remember convenience as much as culture. Roads, healthcare, payment systems, and safety all matter as much as scenery. If local governments and business owners focus on those basics, tourists will return, spend more, and share their experiences online. The goal is not to turn every region into Bali, but to build destinations that work for both locals and visitors. Real tourism success starts when comfort meets culture.
