PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Bandung has once again achieved impressive success in the tourism sector. According to a release from the international travel agency Agoda, Bandung is among the five fastest-growing tourist destinations in Asia through 2025.

The list was compiled based on Agoda accommodation booking data from January to November 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. The results showed that only three countries dominated the list: Vietnam, Japan, and Indonesia.

Bandung ranks as the third most developed destination in Asia. This mountainous city is considered a strong draw for both domestic and international tourists, thanks to its natural landscape, cool climate, colonial architecture, rich culture, and diverse culinary offerings.

The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) has recorded a significant increase in tourist visits to Bandung. By the third quarter of 2025, the number of tourist visits to Bandung reached 6.5 million, an 84.14 percent increase compared to the first semester of the same year.

In terms of tourism interest, the culinary sector remains the leading sector, contributing around 60 percent of total tourism activity. The remainder is distributed across shopping, fashion, and heritage tourism.

Previously, Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan stated that the surge in tourist visits was also clearly visible at the end of the year. In December 2025 alone, the number of tourists visiting Bandung reached over 1,070,131 people.

"Around 530,000 tourists arrived by train, both long-distance and the Whoosh High-Speed Train. The remaining 45 percent used private vehicles and group buses," said Farhan.

He revealed that during the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holidays, trains were the primary mode of transportation for tourists. This demonstrates the growing public interest in comfortable and efficient public transportation.

Compared to the period from January to November 2025, tourist arrivals in December increased by around 25 percent. In previous months, the average number of tourists visiting Bandung was around 700,000 per month.

Meanwhile, Agoda's fastest-growing destination in Asia is Sa Pa, Vietnam. This mountain town is renowned for its cool temperatures, beautiful natural scenery, and captivating rice terraces. Sa Pa is also the gateway to the summit of Phang Xi Pang, the highest mountain in Indochina, which is now accessible via a modern cable car.

Second place is occupied by Okayama, Japan, which is known for its quality fruit products such as white peaches and Muscat grapes, as well as its rich seafood cuisine and the signature dish Barazushi.

Besides Bandung, two other cities from Japan also completed the top five list, namely Matsuyama in fourth place and Takamatsu in fifth place.

The five fastest-growing tourist destinations in Asia according to Agoda in 2025 are:

1. Sa Pa – Vietnam
2. Okayama – Japan
3. Bandung – Indonesia
4. Matsuyama – Japan
5. Takamatsu – Japan

Bandung's inclusion among the top developing tourist destinations in Asia is a positive sign for the city's tourism growth and strengthens its position as a leading international destination. (Bandung City Communications and Information Office/rka)