Christmas and New Year Holiday Stimulus: ASITA Reveals Favorite Destinations, Tourist Villages Become Alternative Options

Bali and Yogyakarta remain firmly established as core destinations on the Year-End Holiday travel map. However, Christmas 2026 and New Year 2027 are set to bring far more varied travel options. The Indonesian Travel Companies Association (ASITA) identifies this end-of-year holiday period as an opportunity for travellers to explore Alternative Destinations, including certified tourist villages.

ASITA General Chairperson Rusmiati projected that several well-known locations will continue to act as visitor magnets. Bali, Yogyakarta and Bandung are forecast to see high tourist traffic. Meanwhile, Domestic Travellers typically favour Puncak, Bogor, Malang, along with various cities across Central Java and East Java.

"Areas such as Puncak and Bogor, as well as Malang and other cities across Central and East Java are consistently the top choices for Domestic Travellers," stated Rusmiati.

For International Travellers, Bali, Yogyakarta and Labuan Bajo remain the primary destinations. Each of these locations offers distinct appeal, spanning Cultural Tourism, heritage sites, natural landscapes and coastal marine activities.

Even so, Rusmiati noted that this year's end-of-year travel patterns may still shift. Less mainstream destinations have a real chance to gain traction, particularly as travellers begin seeking new experiences outside standard popular holiday routes.

"We encourage the public to explore the full range of destinations across Indonesia, aligned with their personal interests and individual travel circumstances," she added.

From Cultural Heritage to Coastal Marine Experiences

Yogyakarta is the go-to choice for travellers looking to combine Heritage Tourism, cultural immersion and culinary exploration. Beyond its famous temple complexes and royal palace grounds, the city offers authentic local dining, traditional market visits and opportunities to engage with the community's living arts scene.

For nature and ocean enthusiasts, Labuan Bajo delivers unique experiences through its archipelago landscapes, Marine Tourism and surrounding natural biodiversity. Meanwhile the Lake Toba region in North Sumatra presents sweeping volcanic lake vistas paired with the living traditions of the Batak people.

Away from popular destinations, tourist villages also make for rewarding visits: travellers can connect with local daily life, taste regional specialty foods, and observe traditional craft production and cultural practices first-hand.

There are now more tourist village options than ever before. 2026 data from the Ministry of Tourism records that over 6,300 tourist villages have been registered on the National Tourist Village Network (Jadesta) platform. 

These community-led destinations offer a fundamentally different experience compared to mass tourism areas. Visitors can stay with local residents, participate in cultural activities, sample local farm produce, and learn traditional craft techniques directly from artisans.

The economic impact of this model is already visible. Monitoring by the Ministry of Tourism across 66 tourist villages recorded that tourism-generated village revenue rose 29.62%, increasing from IDR 46.05 billion in 2024 to IDR 59.70 billion in 2025. 

Over the same period, national Visitor Arrivals to these tourist villages grew 45.17%, reaching approximately 2.25 million individual trips.

This data confirms that tourist village travel does not only deliver unique experiences for visitors. Tourism activity in these areas channels income directly to local management teams, homestay operators, tour guides, artisans, and small local food businesses.

Account For Rainy Season Conditions When Planning Travel

Alongside growing travel opportunities, visitors must also factor in weather conditions. The Christmas and New Year holiday period falls when most regions of Indonesia enter the rainy season. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has forecast the peak of the 2026/2027 rainy season across most areas will occur between December 2026 and February 2027.

These conditions require particular attention for travellers planning Outdoor Activities. Trips to mountain areas, trekking excursions, marine tourism and all open-air activities should be planned in line with official weather updates and safety guidance from destination management authorities.

"As the Christmas and New Year holiday period coincides with rainy season conditions across many regions, travellers are advised to adjust their planned activities according to real-time weather. All outdoor activities must take into account official safety recommendations from destination operators," Rusmiati advised.

Travellers are also recommended to prepare backup itineraries should rain disrupt scheduled plans. Museums, culinary hubs, creative spaces, cultural performances and indoor activities all serve as suitable alternatives, without requiring cancellation of the entire trip.

Rusmiati also reminded visitors to book tickets, accommodation and Tour Packages well in advance. Travellers should confirm full details of facilities, schedules, pricing and cancellation policies prior to selecting a travel agent.

"Just as importantly, remain flexible regarding schedule changes, and always follow instructions from tour guides and local on-site officials. We want everyone to enjoy a safe, comfortable holiday, while acting responsibly towards the environment and local communities at the destinations they visit," she concluded.

With an ever wider range of travel options available, Year-End Holidays no longer need to revolve exclusively around crowded mass tourism destinations. Visiting a tourist village or lesser-known alternative location can be a wonderful way to gain new travel experiences, while directly supporting local community economy.(Antara)