Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is transforming Indonesia.travel website into a smart travel companion, with the aim of making trip planning seamless, intuitive, and personalised.
The first phase introduced 360-degree virtual experiences, allowing travellers to explore destinations before they arrive. In May, the next stage will integrate AI to personalise itineraries, provide real-time recommendations, and enable businesses to anticipate demand, tailor their services, and enhance the overall travel experience for visitors.
Speaking at a press briefing in Jakarta, minister of tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana stated that the platform is evolving towards a more interactive experience, noting that Indonesia.travel is no longer a source of information but also a smart companion that “guides, inspires, and adapts to each traveller’s needs”.
Three AI-driven tools power this transformation: Travel Planner, Travel Companion, and the Command Centre. The Travel Planner creates customised itineraries based on preferences, budget, and schedule. Once in Indonesia, the Travel Companion suggests activities, dining options, and local events in real time. Meanwhile, the Command Centre works behind the scenes, analysing travel patterns and visitor behaviour to help businesses and regional tourism authorities make data-driven decisions.
MoT’s assistant deputy for marketing strategy and communications, Firnandi Gufron, said: “We’re not just enhancing the traveller experience, but also strengthening the entire tourism ecosystem,”
To simplify trip planning, the website will serve as an aggregator, connecting travellers with airlines, hotels, and tour operators. A built-in Application Programming Interface will synchronise with booking platforms, ensuring prices and availability remain up to date.
While major OTAs are already integrated, the ministry is open to working with any partner that meets the technical requirements.
“At the end of the day, it’s about making travel planning simple and stress-free. As long as a partner’s system integrates smoothly, we’re happy to collaborate,” Firnandi said.
