Jakarta welcomed tens of millions of tourist in 2024, yet the duration of their stays remains relatively short.
According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), foreign tourists stayed in the capital for an average of only two days, while domestic tourists recorded an even lower figure of 1.53 days.
“This travel data doesn’t seem to be positively correlated with the length of stay of tourists in Jakarta, which is still relatively low,” said Andhika Permata, Head of the Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Disparekraf), as reported by Antara.
Mobile Positioning Data (MPD) revealed the distribution of movements across the capital. South Jakarta topped the list with 25.1 million trips, followed by Central Jakarta (17.5 million), East Jakarta (14.5 million), North Jakarta (13.2 million), and West Jakarta (13 million). The Thousand Islands recorded just 182,305 trips.
Andhika explained that the provincial government is working to address the issue.
Efforts include domestic and international promotion campaigns as well as increased visibility through social media. However, he admitted, “This is not enough and requires input from various parties.”
Learning from Other Countries
Tourism content creator Kadek Arini argued that accessibility plays a key role in determining how long travellers stay in a destination. She highlighted Tokyo as an example. “As soon as you arrive at Haneda or Narita, you’re immediately greeted by the tourism centre. You can ask questions there and be guided,” she said, quoted from Antara.
She suggested Jakarta could draw lessons from the Philippines and Turkey, both of which have developed strategies to maximise transit tourism. In the Philippines, for instance, Philippine Airlines has offered low-cost round-trip tickets to Tokyo over the past three years.
The scheme requires passengers to spend a 30-hour layover in Manila, which effectively encourages them to explore the city. “They’ll definitely spend money, and they’ll definitely stay at least one night,” Arini said.
Similarly, Turkey has introduced free day trips for long-haul transit passengers. “If you arrive in the morning, you can take a free tour by bus, including lunch, before continuing your journey in the afternoon,” she explained. These initiatives have turned transit stops into opportunities for visitors to shop, eat, and sometimes extend their stay.
Whoosh Becomes a Tourist Experience
Beyond traditional attractions, infrastructure is also shaping Jakarta’s tourism experience. PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) reports that Malaysian tourists are the largest international users of the Whoosh high-speed train connecting Jakarta and Bandung.
Of the 528,000 foreign passengers recorded, 225,000, or around 43% came from Malaysia. “This increase was also influenced by the long holiday period celebrated in both Indonesia and Malaysia,” said Eva Chairunnisa, General Manager and Corporate Secretary of PT KCIC, on Thursday (5 September 2025).
For many Malaysian visitors, Whoosh is not simply a means of transport but a destination in itself. The high-speed train, with its modern facilities and quick journey times, has become part of organised tour packages.
“For foreign tourists, Whoosh is not only a means of transportation connecting Jakarta and Bandung, but also a modern tourist attraction,” Eva added.
The trend suggests that beyond conventional sightseeing, experiences such as high-speed rail can enhance Jakarta’s appeal, adding unique elements to the city’s tourism offer and potentially encouraging longer stays.
