Banda Aceh: The Aceh Culture and Tourism Agency reported that the number of tourist visits from January to April 2025 reached 7.3 million, marking a 76 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
“Alhamdulillah, this positive trend continues to grow year after year,” said Almuniza Kamal, Head of the Aceh Culture and Tourism Agency, on Thursday, June 12, 2025, as quoted by Antaranews.com.
According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) received by the Aceh Culture and Tourism Agency, a total of 7,315,394 tourists visited Aceh in the first four months of 2025.
“This represents a 76.42 percent increase compared to the same period last year, which recorded 4.1 million visitors,” Almuniza said.
Of the total 7.3 million visits, 7,303,261 were domestic tourists, while 12,133 were international travelers. Malaysian tourists dominated foreign visits, accounting for 8,233 arrivals.
“This significant growth underscores Aceh’s rising appeal as a leading tourist destination in Indonesia, particularly in the halal and cultural tourism sectors,” he added.
Tourism Growth Supported by Government Initiatives
Almuniza emphasized that tourist arrivals have been steadily increasing every year. In 2022, Aceh recorded 6.9 million visits, which rose to 8.97 million in 2023 and surged further to 12.95 million in 2024.
He attributed this upward trend to the Aceh Provincial Administration’s flagship programs, led by Governor Muzakir Manaf and Deputy Governor Fadhlullah, who have actively promoted halal tourism as a key driver of the regional economy.
Aceh, often referred to as the “Veranda of Mecca,” has deep-rooted Islamic traditions and values, positioning it as a hub for Islamic cultural preservation and education.
“The Aceh Provincial Administration is focusing on promoting the region to Muslim-majority countries like Malaysia, enhancing the capabilities of tourism industry workers, and developing infrastructure to support halal tourism,” Almuniza noted.
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