Government Prepares Transport Fare Stimulus for Second Half of 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom) Muhammad Qodari stated that the government is preparing a transport fare stimulus package for two key periods to drive economic growth. “Entering the second half of 2026, the government is preparing a stimulus package aimed at boosting economic movement in two strategic months,” said Qodari during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday. He explained that the package specifically targets two strategic moments: the long school holiday in June-July 2026 and the Christmas and New Year period at the end of the year. For the June-July 2026 holiday period, a budget of Rp190.5 billion has been allocated for land and sea transport discounts, as well as port service fee discounts. Meanwhile, a 100 percent VAT exemption incentive (PPN DTP) is being applied to domestic economy-class flight tickets, with a budget of Rp472.7 billion. For the Christmas and New Year period, a budget of Rp61.4 billion has been prepared for land and sea transport, along with Rp722 billion in VAT exemption incentives for flights. Qodari also noted that based on data as of 14 June 2026, foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia reached 4.68 million visits in the January-April 2026 period, an 8.24 percent increase compared to 4.33 million in the same period of 2025. Beyond the increase in numbers, there was also a rise in the quality of visits, reflected by a 5.36 percent increase in average spending per foreign tourist to 1,345.86 US dollars (approximately Rp22.68 million) per visit. Tourism sector foreign exchange earnings also grew by 6.30 percent, equivalent to Rp68.28 trillion, compared to the same period last year.