MaiA: Indonesia’s New AI Travel Companion for Personalized Tourism

Published on November 28, 2025

Beginning on November 27, 2025, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism made available the customized Artificial Intelligence Indonesia (MaiA), designed to facilitate both international and domestic travelers’ journeys. MaiA was announced by the minister of tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, and falls under Indonesia’s devotion to the development of a smart adaptable and sustainable tourism economy. The Indonesian government undisputedly seeks to alter how travelers experience accessibility in travel and travel planning to an individualized and enhanced level through MaiA.

The Vision Behind MaiA: Intelligent, Inclusive, and Sustainable Tourism

Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana described MaiA as a key step in advancing Indonesia’s tourism sector. “This is our step to present tourism that is not only beautiful but also intelligent and inclusive for everyone,” she remarked at the launch event. The platform represents the Ministry’s dedication to creating a tourism ecosystem that is not only accessible but also innovative, aligning with global trends in smart technology and travel personalization.

MaiA is designed to serve as an intelligent digital travel companion, offering personalized recommendations and instant solutions to travelers’ needs. The platform is part of the Ministry’s broader priority program, Tourism 5.0, which focuses on leveraging technology to enhance the visitor experience, promote sustainable practices, and ensure that tourism contributes positively to local communities.

Key Features of MaiA: A Personalized Travel Experience

MaiA is more than just a digital map; it functions as a fully interactive, user-friendly assistant that can help travelers plan their trips in real-time. The platform offers several features that cater to a variety of needs, making it a valuable tool for both new and seasoned travelers:

1. Personalized Destination Recommendations: MaiA uses sophisticated algorithms to understand a traveler’s preferences, suggesting destinations based on their interests, whether they are looking for cultural experiences, natural beauty, or adventure.
2. Automatic Itinerary Planning: The platform allows travelers to plan their entire trip, from arrival to departure, with ease. MaiA automatically generates itineraries based on the user’s preferences, including recommended activities, accommodations, and dining options.
3. Interactive Maps and Destination Information: The platform includes detailed maps that highlight key tourist attractions, hidden gems, and essential information about each destination. It also offers summaries in multiple languages to make the platform accessible to a global audience.
4. Real-Time Support and Guidance: MaiA acts as a digital travel companion, providing real-time assistance with route navigation, transportation options, and local services, ensuring that travelers are always confident in their journey.

Global Accessibility: Catering to a Wide Audience

MaiA is available on Indonesia’s official travel website, indonesia.travel, and can be accessed for free by anyone planning to visit the country. One of the key aspects of the platform’s design is its accessibility, with the system available in several languages, including Indonesian, English, French, and Arabic. This multilingual support ensures that the platform caters to tourists from diverse backgrounds and regions, making it easier for international visitors to plan their trips with confidence.

Moreover, MaiA’s interface includes a chat feature, enabling tourists to ask questions and receive immediate responses. This interactive element adds a layer of convenience, allowing users to find quick solutions to any uncertainties they may have about their travel plans.

Supporting Sustainable Tourism and Strengthening Indonesia’s Competitiveness

As global tourism continues to evolve, travelers increasingly seek personalized, efficient, and accessible experiences. MaiA’s introduction is a direct response to these shifting trends, catering to the growing demand for intelligent travel tools that streamline the planning process and enhance the overall experience.

By providing customized travel plans, recommendations, and real-time guidance, MaiA is designed to not only improve the travel experience but also support sustainable tourism practices. The platform encourages responsible travel choices by helping tourists discover lesser-known destinations, thereby promoting the dispersal of tourists to areas outside the major cities. This approach is vital for sustainable development, ensuring that tourism benefits reach various regions across Indonesia, from Bali’s beaches to the cultural heritage sites of Yogyakarta and the remote islands of Raja Ampat.

MaiA’s Role in Indonesia’s Tourism 5.0 Vision

MaiA is a critical part of Indonesia’s Tourism 5.0 strategy, which focuses on combining digital technology with traditional tourism experiences to create a more innovative and efficient tourism model. This strategy aligns with the global trend toward digital-first solutions, where travelers expect to have access to intelligent systems that can provide instant information and personalized services. MaiA’s ability to understand travelers’ needs and preferences marks a significant step toward achieving this vision.

The introduction of MaiA also highlights the government’s commitment to developing a sustainable and user-friendly tourism ecosystem that fosters long-term growth in Indonesia’s tourism industry. By offering an AI-powered platform, the Ministry of Tourism is positioning Indonesia as a leader in the digital transformation of the tourism sector in Southeast Asia.

Impact on Indonesian Tourism and Local Economies

MaiA is expected to have a transformative effect on Indonesian tourism by improving the efficiency and accessibility of travel planning. By catering to tourists’ specific interests and providing real-time guidance, the platform enhances the overall experience, leading to increased satisfaction and repeat visits. Moreover, MaiA will help tourists discover more local attractions, supporting smaller and less-visited destinations and promoting inclusive growth in the tourism sector.

The platform’s real-time data also provides valuable insights into tourist behavior and preferences, helping the Ministry of Tourism make data-driven decisions for future tourism development. This will ensure that Indonesia remains competitive in the global tourism market, meeting the evolving needs of modern travelers while promoting sustainable practices.

Paving the Way for Smart Tourism in Indonesia

The introduction of the MaiA platform has allowed for the first time the illintegration of technology with culture and nature exploration in the tourism industry in Indonesia. MaiA will allow for the personalization and optimization of tourism in an environmentally friendly way, putting Indonesia in the foreground for innovation. As Indonesia continues its rapid development as a tourism hotspot, the platform will be instrumental in defining the curve of Indonesian tourism.