Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Tourism affirmed that it continues to monitor the conflict in the Middle East alongside global dynamics as part of efforts to ensure Indonesia's tourist destinations remain safe for visitors.While delivering the ministry's monthly report in Jakarta on Wednesday, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana explained that the tourism sector is closely linked to mobility and cross-border travel.She noted that dynamics in various regions of the world can create uncertainty in international travel, affecting both tourists and the global tourism industry.In response to these conditions, the Ministry of Tourism continues to take adaptive measures to maintain the growth momentum of Indonesia's tourism.One of the strategies formulated is to adjust market focus by strengthening promotions in countries with stable travel access, such as East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.In addition to shifting market targets, the ministry is also intensifying tourism promotion through digital campaigns, increasing cross-border activities and events, and strengthening domestic tourists' interest in local destinations.Regarding the temporary closure of Middle Eastern airspace, which affected some travelers, the government has taken necessary measures to ensure that tourists can wait safely until their journeys can resume.Wardhana also noted that the national tourism sector showed a positive trend at the beginning of the year. In January 2026, foreign tourist arrivals through main gateways reached 1.01 million.Malaysia was the largest contributor, with 150,500 arrivals, followed by Australia, China, Singapore, and India.Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa revealed that domestic tourist trips in January 2026 reached 102.04 million, a slight decrease of about 0.93 percent compared to the same period last year.This decline was influenced by January’s position between the Christmas and New Year holidays and the lead-up to the next major holiday periods, such as the Lunar New Year and Eid al-Fitr.She noted that domestic tourist movement is expected to increase with more holidays and tour packages offered by industry players.”The government is optimistic that it can achieve the target of 1.18 billion domestic tourist trips in 2026 through various promotional programs and improved destination readiness,” Puspa said.Meanwhile, outbound travel by Indonesian citizens at the beginning of this year grew by 1.65 percent, reaching approximately 1 million trips. The primary destinations were Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, which together accounted for 58.58 percent of total trips.Malaysia and Singapore remain top choices due to their geographical proximity and ease of access, while travel to Saudi Arabia consists mostly of Umrah pilgrimages.