Agoda ‘New Horizon’ Ranking: Padang is Indonesia’s Top Emerging Destination
Jakarta, 2 January 2025 – Padang has emerged as the fastest-growing destination among international travelers visiting Indonesia, according to the digital travel platform Agoda. The travel platform’s New Horizons list further reveals Banjarmasin to be the top trending destination for Indonesian domestic travelers. Beijing, China is the international destination that saw the biggest popularity leap for Indonesian travelers.
Agoda’s New Horizons ranking, which is released annually, compares the accommodation booking ranks of the two previous years to identify the highest climbers in both domestic and international travel.
Padang, West Sumatra, has been recognized as the top emerging destination among foreign visitors due to its rich culture, which serves as the background of legendary folktales like Siti Nurbaya and Malin Kundang. Further draw comes from its world-renowned cuisine, including Nasi Padang, Rendang, and Sate Padang. The city is known for its stunning beaches, including Carolina, Air Manis, Suwarnadwipa, Taplau, Bungus, Tiram, Muaro Lasak, Ketaping, and Samudra. Accessible via Minangkabau International Airport, Padang offers convenient transport and unforgettable cultural and natural experiences.
Topping the list for domestic travelers, Banjarmasin, the largest city in South Kalimantan, is the perfect place to experience Kalimantan’s urban culture, both on land and on water. Situated on a delta near the confluence of the Barito and Martapura rivers, the city features mostly hot weather, with occasional rainfall even during the dry season. Banjarmasin’s increasing popularity among domestic travelers can be linked to the region’s efforts to promote local festivals, floating markets, culinary specialties, and beautiful lakes.
For Indonesians, Beijing, China, is becoming a popular destination due to its historical architecture, such as the Mutianyu Great Wall, Tian Tan Buddha, and the Palace Museum. Beijing offers excellent value for travelers seeking both leisure and cultural exploration.
Gede Gunawan, Senior Country Director at Agoda Indonesia said, “The increased popularity of Padang delights me. It’s proof that the efforts of Agoda and many others in Indonesian’s tourism industry to promote secondary destinations are paying off. At the same time, it’s exciting to see Indonesian travelers’ growing interest in Beijing. Wherever Indonesian travelers want to explore, Agoda is here to help with great rates on accommodation, flights, and activities.”
Looking at the top emerging destinations for Asian travelers combined, Shanghai tops the New Horizons list. The Chinese metropolis is followed by Jeju (South Korea), Paris (France), Nha Trang (Vietnam), and Fukuoka (Japan).
Travelers preparing for their travel plans for 2025 are encouraged to check out Agoda’s great value deals on over 4.5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities and experiences that are available on the platform. The latest deals are available in the Agoda app or on agoda.com/deals.