Saudi Arabia unveils Package Visa, flights for 2M Indonesian tourists
The Kingdom introduced a Package Visa and expanded air links, following 1.6 million arrivals from Indonesia in 2024 and over 633,000 by June this year.
Saudi Arabia aims for two million Indonesian arrivals
Saudi Arabia is intensifying its efforts to attract Indonesian travellers, setting a goal of two million arrivals from the market by the end of 2026. This target follows a significant increase in visitor numbers, with 1.6 million Indonesian visitors recorded in 2024, representing an 11.7 per cent year-on-year growth.
By June 2026, the Kingdom had welcomed over 633,000 Indonesian visitors. These figures were highlighted during Saudi Arabia’s Indonesia Trade Roadshow in Jakarta, where the Saudi Tourism Authority showcased destination developments and upcoming attractions to Indonesian travel trade partners, including tour operators and Umrah providers.
Eyad Jan, the Saudi Tourism Authority’s market unit senior director for Southeast Asia, noted the sustained interest and growing demand for all travel purposes from the region.
New Package Visa simplifies entry
To streamline the entry process for Indonesian travellers, Saudi Arabia recently launched the Package Visa. This digital solution integrates tourist visa applications directly into curated bookings made through approved travel and tourism service providers.
The initiative enables eligible travellers to arrange their visa, accommodation, flights, and tourism activities through a single booking journey, aiming to create a more efficient trip planning and arrival process.
The Package Visa complements Saudi Arabia’s existing initiatives designed to simplify inbound travel, such as the visa-on-arrival option and the Stopover Transit Visa, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance accessibility for international visitors.
Airlines boost direct services
Air connectivity between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia is expanding, with four airlines currently operating direct services. Lion Air, Garuda Indonesia, Saudia, and Flyadeal collectively offer 96 weekly flights, providing approximately 34,988 seats.
Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is planning to introduce new flights to Surabaya, according to Reham Zarei, the airline’s East Asia & Australia director; specific details for this expansion were not available at press time.
Saudia presently operates 21 weekly direct flights from Jeddah to Jakarta, four weekly from Medina to Jakarta, and three weekly flights from Jeddah to Bali via Singapore. Additionally, Riyadh Air intends to launch a thrice-weekly service to Jakarta this November.
New attractions and promotional drives
Saudi Arabia is actively developing new tourism draws and promoting its offerings. The AFC Asian Cup Saudi 2027 football tournament was among the key attractions highlighted during the Jakarta roadshow, expected to draw visitors from across Asia, including supporters of Indonesia’s national team, which has qualified for the event.
The Kingdom is also seeing new hotel openings, such as Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, and Miraval The Red Sea, the wellness brand's debut property in the destination.
Landmark developments like Amaala, an ultra-luxury regenerative tourism project, and Aquarabia, a water theme park under construction set to be the largest in the Middle East, further diversify Saudi Arabia's appeal beyond luxury to include family entertainment.
Implications for Indonesian travel
The combined effect of simplified visa processes, increased flight options, and a growing portfolio of attractions suggests a significant shift in travel accessibility for Indonesian visitors to Saudi Arabia.
Indonesian travellers can anticipate a more straightforward planning and booking process, greater choice in direct air travel, and a wider array of activities beyond traditional pilgrimage. For Indonesian travel operators and Umrah providers, these developments present expanded opportunities for package creation and increased client volume.
The continued focus on the Indonesian market, coupled with major events like the AFC Asian Cup, indicates a sustained effort by Saudi Arabia to cement its position as a diverse and accessible destination for this key Asian demographic.
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