Indonesia’s tourism and hospitality sector will gain a new national industry platform with the launch of Indonesia Tourism Xchange 2026 (ITX 2026). The forum will bring together hotel owners, operators, investors, and senior decision-makers from across Indonesia to discuss the key forces shaping the country’s tourism economy during a period of renewed growth and increasing complexity.
Taking place on 12 May 2026 at The Langham, Jakarta, ITX 2026 is designed to reflect Indonesia’s tourism landscape—its scale, cultural richness, and diverse destinations—while addressing the evolving expectations of travellers, brands, and investors. The programme will cover a wide range of hospitality topics, including luxury and lifestyle trends, hotel performance, investment, technology, sustainability, and emerging development models.
The agenda begins with an overview of Indonesia’s investment climate and tourism outlook for 2026, providing context for the discussions throughout the day. The programme will then explore the future of luxury hospitality, where guest expectations continue to evolve. Sherona Shng, Regional Vice President Operations Asia at Langham Hospitality Group, will discuss how luxury in Indonesia is increasingly shaped by cultural understanding, personalisation, and emotional connection rather than scale alone.
“Luxury travelers coming to Indonesia are not looking for replicas of global hotels,” said Shng. “They
are seeking meaning, context, and a sense of place. The brands that succeed here will be those that understand Indonesia’s cultural complexity and deliver experiences that feel deeply personal, not standardized.”
Hotel performance and demand trends will also be a key focus, examining how hotels across resort and urban markets are performing, including upper-upscale and luxury properties. Matt Gebbie, Director – Pacific Asia, Horwath HTL, will share insights on Indonesia’s tourism prospects for 2026 and highlight areas where growth is sustainable and where caution may be needed.
“Indonesia’s opportunity is not simply growth—it is smart growth,” said Gebbie. “Luxury hotels, in particular, face higher expectations on performance, capital returns, and differentiation. Understanding which destinations, segments, and concepts will truly perform in 2026 and beyond is now critical for investors and operators alike.”
ITX 2026 will also explore how ownership structures and development strategies are evolving. A dedicated session on standalone branded residences will examine the growing role of residential-led hospitality developments in Indonesia’s resort and lifestyle destinations. The discussion will be moderated by Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks.
“Branded residences are no longer a secondary product in Indonesia—they are becoming a primary driver of luxury real estate demand,” said Barnett. “What makes Indonesia compelling is the combination of brand trust, destination appeal, and lifestyle aspiration. The challenge is aligning those elements in markets that are diverse, fragmented, and culturally nuanced.”
The wider programme will also cover hospitality technology, sustainability, leadership, ownership transitions, and culturally driven design. These discussions highlight a shift towards more context-driven and resilient hospitality models that respond to Indonesia’s unique geography and heritage.
Indonesia Tourism Xchange 2026 is organised by Horwath HTL, C9 Hotelworks, STR, QUO Global, Greenview, and Delivering Asia, in partnership with Langham Hospitality Group, and supported by the Jakarta Hotels Association, PHRI Indonesia, and the Bali Hotels Association. Attendance is complimentary, with advance registration required.
As Indonesia’s tourism sector continues to grow and evolve, ITX 2026 aims to become an annual industry forum that provides insights into performance, investment, and brand strategy across one of Asia’s most dynamic travel markets.
