Google Advertisement
Jakarta, June 20, 2026– Indonesia’s national QR code payment system, QRIS, has recorded a remarkable surge in usage by foreign tourists, underscoring the country’s growing role in cross border digital transactions.
Bank Indonesia (BI) reported that inbound QRIS transactions by international visitors reached Rp 4.3 trillion between January and May 2026, nearly triple the value of outbound transactions made by Indonesians abroad.
Deputy Governor BI Filianingsih Hendarta highlighted that the adoption of QRIS among foreign tourists reflects Indonesia’s success in integrating its payment infrastructure with regional partners.
“Inbound transactions are significantly higher than outbound, showing strong demand from tourists who find QRIS convenient and seamless,” she said.
Google Advertisement
Malaysia and Singapore Dominate Usage
The majority of inbound QRIS transactions came from Malaysia and Singapore, two neighboring countries with high travel frequency to Indonesia.
Tourists from China also contributed substantially, signaling QRIS’s growing acceptance among Asia’s largest outbound tourism market.
This dominance reflects both geographic proximity and the interoperability agreements BI has established with regional payment systems.
For Malaysian and Singaporean visitors, QRIS offers a frictionless alternative to cash, aligning with ASEAN’s broader push toward financial integration.
QRIS Tap Expands in Transport
Beyond tourism, QRIS Tap has rapidly expanded across Indonesia’s urban transport networks.
BI reported that adoption rates in KRL, MRT, LRT, and TransJakarta systems have reached 95% in Jabodetabek.
In May 2026 alone, QRIS Tap recorded 634,000 transactions, a 3.06% increase from the previous month, with a nominal value of Rp 6.3 trillion.
More than 3.2 million merchants now accept QRIS Tap, strengthening Indonesia’s digital economy ecosystem.
Digital Payment Growth Accelerates
The broader digital payment landscape continues to expand.
BI data shows total electronic transactions reached 5.22 billion in May 2026, up 28.14% year on year.
QRIS specific transactions surged 95.1% year on year, underscoring its rapid adoption among both merchants and consumers.
This growth reflects Indonesia’s ambition to become a leader in digital financial services, reducing reliance on cash while improving efficiency and transparency in transactions.
Despite the strong momentum, BI acknowledges several challenges, dependence on regional partners heavy reliance on Malaysian and Singaporean tourists could expose QRIS inflows to travel fluctuations.
As adoption scales, ensuring robust safeguards against fraud is critical.
While urban transport systems are well integrated, rural and tourism-heavy regions may lag in QRIS acceptance.
The surge in QRIS usage by foreign tourists positions Indonesia as a regional leader in cross border digital payments.
It also highlights the country’s ability to leverage tourism as a driver of financial innovation.
With Malaysia and Singapore at the forefront, QRIS is becoming a symbol of ASEAN’s digital integration, while its expansion in transport systems signals Indonesia’s commitment to a cashless future.
