Palembang Emerging as a Promising Destination for Australian Tourists

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government of Australia is open to collaborating with the city of Palembang, South Sumatra, in the tourism and cultural sectors. This comes as there is a growing interest in expanding Australian tourists' destinations to various regions in Indonesia.

The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Rod Brazier, stated that Palembang is one of the areas with potential to become a focus for Australian tourists in the future. This is due to the natural richness and cultural heritage of Palembang, which is also noted as the oldest city in Indonesia.

"Many Australian tourists come to Bali. I want to encourage them to not only visit Bali but also explore other areas in Indonesia, including South Sumatra, which is famous for its natural beauty and cultural heritage," said Rod Brazier during a visit to the Mayor's Office in Palembang on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Tourism Promotion Opportunities in South Sumatra

According to Rod Brazier, the South Sumatra region has great tourism potential but is not fully known to international tourists. So far, most Australian tourists only know of Bali as Indonesia's main tourist destination.

Therefore, the Australian government is promoting other Indonesian destinations, including South Sumatra. "South Sumatra is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. This presents a great opportunity to attract Australian tourists to visit regions other than Bali," he said.

He also noted that the development of infrastructure in Palembang is a critical factor in supporting the tourism sector. "The progress in Palembang is remarkable. The streets are clean, the LRT system is outstanding, and I believe the people of Palembang must be proud," he added.

Cultural Heritage as an Attraction

In addition to its natural beauty, Palembang is known as one of Indonesia's historical cities with a rich culture. Mayor of Palembang, Ratu Dewa, stated that Palembang's status as the oldest city in Indonesia is important for promoting historical and cultural tourism. "As the oldest city in Indonesia, Palembang has a lot of cultural and historical potential that can be introduced to foreign tourists," she said.

She believes that collaboration in the tourism and cultural sectors provides a new opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Australia and the city of Palembang. This collaboration involves promoting tourism destinations and cultural exchanges, as well as enhancing the capacity of human resources in the tourism sector. The Palembang city government hopes that with increased connectivity and international promotion, particularly from Australia, foreign tourists will start to consider this city as an alternative tourist destination in Indonesia. This, in turn, will allow the creative economic and local culture sectors to flourish more extensively.

Read: Traveling Abroad? These Mundane Items Could Raise Flags at Airport Security

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