Observer: Transport discounts positively impact national tourism

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Public policy analyst from Trisakti University, Trubus Rahadiansyah, has stated that transport fare incentives during the school holiday and Christmas-New Year period can bolster public purchasing power and positively impact national tourism. “I think this is the right policy. These transport fare discounts clearly stimulate people’s enthusiasm to travel,” Trubus said when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday. He added that the transport discounts provide a sense of security and comfort for people when they make trips. “Secondly, this has a positive impact on tourist destinations. Local governments will benefit because they receive income. So, essentially, this directly affects people’s purchasing power,” he said. Trubus further noted that all MSME products and local goods can sell well because they are supported by people travelling to tourist spots. For context, the government has disbursed an economic stimulus package for the second half of 2026 with a total budget of Rp26.34 trillion. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that the total stimulus released by the government for this period amounts to Rp26.34 trillion. The transport incentive stimulus accounts for approximately Rp2.04 trillion, internships and vocational training around Rp6.26 trillion, and food assistance Rp18.04 trillion. The government is also providing various transport fare incentives during the school holiday and Christmas-New Year period. For the school holidays, the government is offering a 30 percent discount on train tickets from 20 June to 5 July 2026, a 30 percent discount on base ship fares from 20 June to 15 August 2026, and an exemption from ASDP port service fees from 20 June to 5 July 2026. Additionally, the government is providing a 100 percent Government-borne Value Added Tax (PPN DTP) incentive for domestic economy class flight tickets. Meanwhile, for the Christmas and New Year period, the government is offering a 30 percent discount on train tickets from 22 December 2026 to 4 January 2027, a 30 percent discount on base ship fares from 17 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, and an exemption from ASDP port service fees from 22 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. The 100 percent PPN DTP incentive will also be applied again for economy class flight tickets.