Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is diversifying its target markets by shifting its focus toward Asia and Oceania, a move designed to mitigate the impact of ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts on the travel sector.“We are refocusing our efforts on Asia and Oceania. These are now our primary targets,” Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa stated here on Friday.Puspa explained that the ministry is intensifying promotional campaigns in countries within short-to-medium haul flight range, specifically targeting Southeast Asian nations and Australia.To support this transition, industry stakeholders are developing travel packages and competitive price bundling, she said.There is also a significant emphasis on digital-first marketing to engage Gen Z travelers, who represent a highly active demographic in the digital landscape. These initiatives aim to sustain growth in foreign arrivals and ensure the tourism sector remains resilient despite regional instabilities.The shift comes as air travel via Middle Eastern transit hubs faces disruption from recent airspace closures. Furthermore, volatility in the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil route—has driven up aviation fuel costs worldwide. Traditionally, long-haul travelers from the United States and Europe rely on three major Middle Eastern hubs: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the country welcomed 15.39 million foreign tourists in 2025, marking a 10.80 percent increase from the previous year.Bali remains the nation's primary draw, accounting for 6.95 million of those arrivals. Australia continues to hold its position as the leading source of tourism for Bali with 1.62 million arrivals, followed in the top ten by India, China, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan.