In the 1990s, tourism was a directorate general within the Department of Tourism, Posts and Telecommunications (Indonesian: Departemen Pariwisata, Pos dan Telekomunikasi) which concerned with administration of postal and telecommunication as well.,[1] not a standalone department/ministry yet.

It became the State Ministry of Tourism and Art (Indonesian: Menteri Negara Pariwisata dan Kesenian) and changes to become Department of Tourism and Culture (Indonesian: Departemen Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata) on Gus Dur's National Unity Cabinet.

It became the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism during Megawati's presidency (Mutual Assistance Cabinet) and changed name again to become Ministry of Culture and Tourism during the first term of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's presidency (United Indonesia Cabinet).

It changed into Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy during the second term (Second United Indonesia Cabinet) of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono presidency as the cultural responsibilities were transferred into Ministry of Education and Culture.

As part of the 1994–1995 - 1999–2000 five-year plan, the government set a target of 6.5 million foreign tourists, bringing in US$9 billion in foreign exchange, with 84.2 million domestic tourists spending Rp9 trillion.