According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), the number of tourist visits to Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, has increased over the past five years. This trend applies to both foreign and domestic tourists.
In 2020, BPS recorded approximately 1,600 domestic tourists visiting Raja Ampat. However, the number decreased in 2021-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the pandemic subsided, the number of domestic tourists increased significantly, reaching 8,300 visits in 2024. This is about five times higher than in 2020 and the highest record in the last five years.
On the other hand, the trend of foreign tourist visits to Raja Ampat is slightly different, consistently increasing every year, even during the pandemic.
In the last five years, the number of foreign tourists in Raja Ampat has increased almost tenfold, from 2,600 visits in 2020 to approximately 25,000 visits in 2024.
According to research by Konservasi Indonesia, UNPATTI, and UNIPA in 2017, Raja Ampat can accommodate up to 21,000 tourists per year without damaging the environment.
If one foreign tourist spends approximately US$1,000 per week in Raja Ampat, with a carrying capacity of 21,000 tourists per year, then the potential economic value of sustainable tourism there reaches US$21 million or Rp341.46 billion per year.
"This figure does not include the effects of transaction turnover during tourist visits," said Victor Nikijuluw, Senior Ocean Program Advisor at Konservasi Indonesia, in a press release on Wednesday (June 11, 2025).
"We estimate that the trickle-down and multiplier effects of the Raja Ampat tourism sector could reach US$31.5 million (Rp512.19 billion), so the total overall tourism value could very likely reach US$52.5 million (Rp853.6 billion) per year," he said.
Amidst the rising tourism trend, in 2025, Raja Ampat's environment was polluted due to nickel mining.
This was reported by TribunSorong.com, which showed photos of murky brown seawater on the coast of Kawe Island, Raja Ampat.
"We are living witnesses, seeing firsthand the environmental conditions in the nickel mining concession area. The environmental damage is evident; the waters are becoming polluted," said Ronisel Mambrasar, a resident of Raja Ampat, as reported by TribunSorong.com (June 5, 2025).
The government responded immediately to this issue by revoking four nickel mining business permits (IUP) in Raja Ampat that were deemed to violate environmental regulations.
"Considering everything comprehensively, the President decided that four IUPs outside of PT GAG Nikel will be revoked," said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia in a press conference on Tuesday (June 10, 2025).
"After we went down to check the field, we believe these areas must be protected while still paying attention to marine biota and conservation efforts. The President also has special attention to this and is genuinely committed to ensuring that Raja Ampat remains a world-class tourist destination," he said.