The first-ever Indonesia Tourism Xchange (ITX 2026) is slated to make its debut at The Langham, Jakarta on 12th May, bringing together hotel owners, operators, investors, and senior decision-makers from across the archipelago.
ITX 2026 seeks to examine the forces shaping the country’s tourism economy at a time of renewed growth and increasing complexity.
That said, this upcoming event will be curated to reflect Indonesia’s unique tourism realities from its scale and cultural depth, to its expansive and diverse range of destinations, whilst addressing the evolving demands of travellers, brands, as well as capital.
As Indonesia’s tourism sector matures and luxury becomes more nuanced and experience-driven, ITX 2026 positions itself as an annual industry forum offering clarity on performance, capital, and brand strategy across one of Asia’s most complex and compelling travel markets.
ITX 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.
Covering all the bases
The ITX 2026 programme spans the full spectrum of hospitality, from luxury and lifestyle to performance, investment, technology, sustainability, and emerging development models.
The agenda opens with an assessment of Indonesia’s investment climate and tourism outlook for 2026, providing economic context for the discussions that follow.
Attention then turns to luxury hospitality, where expectations are shifting rapidly and brands are being challenged to move beyond traditional definitions of premium service.
Langham Hospitality Group’s regional vice-president for operations in Asia Sherona Shng will explore how luxury in Indonesia is increasingly shaped by cultural intelligence, personalization, and emotional connection rather than scale or spectacle alone.
According to Shng: “Luxury travellers coming to Indonesia are not looking for replicas of global hotels. 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 standardised.”
Indonesian hospitality under the microscope
It should be noted at this point that hotel performance and demand dynamics form a central pillar of the programme, with a close examination of how Indonesia’s hotels are trading across resort and urban markets, including the performance of upper-upscale and luxury assets.
Horwath HTL director for Pacific Asia Matt Gebbie will address Indonesia’s tourism prospects for 2026, focusing on where growth is sustainable and where caution is required.
With regard to this, Gebbie opines: “Indonesia’s opportunity is not simply growth: it is smart growth. 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.”
Beyond hotels, ITX 2026 will also examine how ownership structures and development strategies are evolving.
A dedicated discussion on standalone branded residences reflects the rising importance of residential-led hospitality across Indonesia’s resort and lifestyle destinations, where brands are increasingly used to drive long-term value.
The session will be moderated by C9 Hotelworks managing director Bill Barnett who said of the topic: “Branded residences are no longer a secondary product in Indonesia. They are becoming a primary driver of luxury real estate demand. 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 broader programme further addresses hospitality technology, sustainability strategy, leadership, ownership transitions, and the growing importance of culturally grounded design.
Together, these conversations reflect a shift away from one-size-fits-all development toward more context-driven, resilient hospitality models that respond to Indonesia’s distinct geography, heritage, and scale.