Indonesia hosted Thomas Cook India, SOTC and 4 more agencies on an Aug 18-24 tour of Yogyakarta and Lombok to build beyond-Bali packages for Indian travellers.
Cover image: Borobudur stupas silhouetted against a sunrise sky with Mount Merapi behind — photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Indonesia is pitching Indian travellers holidays beyond Bali. The tourism ministry took six Indian travel agencies and tour operators on a week-long familiarisation trip from August 18 to 24, 2026, splitting them between Yogyakarta in Central Java and Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara, with a joint Bali leg, so they can sell the three destinations as combined packages back home.
The six companies were Shree Corp, Flag Holidays, S V Holiday Bazaar, Wayfarers Hub, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel. A networking dinner in Bali on August 23 closed the programme. Deputy for Marketing Ni Made Ayu Marthini said the goal was firsthand experience on the ground, so the agents could confidently sell the packages to Indian clients.
What did the Indian agents see in Yogyakarta?
One group rode the Panoramic Train through Central Java and toured Borobudur and Prambanan, the two great temple complexes that anchor Java's cultural tourism. The itinerary added the Ramayana Ballet, a jamu herbal tonic workshop and the water palace of Taman Sari. Travellers weighing the island against Java can start with our guide to the best time to visit Bali from India, then layer Java on top.
The positioning is deliberate. Ministry officials described Yogyakarta's culture and history as well suited to Indian tourists in the family, senior, culture and heritage segments. Temple architecture with recognisable Hindu-Buddhist roots, vegetarian-friendly food culture and slower pacing give Java a plausible pitch to multigenerational Indian families who might otherwise default to Bali alone.
What is on the Lombok itinerary for young Indians?
The second group crossed by fast boat from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan, then worked through snorkelling, an e-bike tour, a cidomo horse-cart ride, souvenir shopping at Kuta Mandalika, the traditional village of Sade, Mayura Park and the NTB Islamic Center. The joint Bali leg added a night safari and the Varuna Show at Bali Safari Park, a melukat purification ritual at Tirta Empul, the Uma Ceking swing and the Krisna souvenir center.
Gili Trawangan, officials said, has strong appeal for younger Indian travellers aged 25 to 45 who enjoy beach destinations. That slots neatly against existing demand: campers and bikers are already heading to Mandalika beach camping around the MotoGP weekend, and Lombok's adventure inventory keeps growing.
Why is Indonesia chasing the Indian market now?
India is one of the fastest-growing outbound markets in the world, in Marthini's words, and Indonesia has been working it systematically. Days before this fam trip, the ministry was promoting Wonderful Indonesia at ITB India 2026 in Mumbai, targeting 6,600 prospective visits and IDR 58.45 billion in transactions. Assistant Deputy for International Marketing I Dedi Ahmad Kurnia presented the agents' tour as part of the same faster-arrival-growth plan.
The strategy is spreading risk as well as chasing volume. Bali's congestion is well documented, and moving a share of Indian arrivals into Yogyakarta and Lombok eases pressure on the island while raising per-trip spend: a two-stop Java-Bali or Lombok-Bali itinerary is longer and richer than a Bali-only long weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Which Indian companies joined Indonesia's beyond-Bali tour?
Shree Corp, Flag Holidays, S V Holiday Bazaar Private Limited, Wayfarers Hub, Thomas Cook (India) Limited and SOTC Travel Limited. The six firms toured Yogyakarta and Lombok from August 18 to 24, 2026, with a joint Bali programme and a networking dinner on August 23.
Is Yogyakarta good for Indian family travellers?
That is exactly how Indonesia is positioning it. The ministry says Yogyakarta's culture and history suit Indian families, seniors and culture-focused travellers, citing Borobudur and Prambanan temples, the Ramayana Ballet and heritage quarters. Vegetarian food is widely available and pacing suits multigenerational groups.
What suits young Indian travellers in Lombok?
Gili Trawangan is the pitch for the 25 to 45 age group: snorkelling, e-bikes, beach time and the island social scene, combined with mainland Lombok stops such as Sade traditional village and Kuta Mandalika. Fast boats connect Padang Bai in Bali to the Gilis for easy twin-center trips.
When did the tour take place?
August 18 to 24, 2026, organised by Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism with a networking dinner in Bali on August 23. The trip was a trade familiarisation visit, so resulting packages should reach Indian travel shelves in the coming weeks.
