Christmas and New Year Holiday Stimulus: Budget Increased, to Encourage Visits to Alternative Tourist Destinations

The 2026 Christmas and 2027 New Year (locally referred to as Nataru) holiday period is set to become a major growth momentum for domestic travel across Indonesia. The government has prepared Transportation Stimulus worth IDR 883.4 billion covering four transport modes: aviation, railways, sea transport, and inter-island ferry crossings. 

This policy is not only designed to reduce travel costs, but also to unlock opportunities for regional destinations that have never ranked as top tourist choices previously.

Deputy Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Drajad Hari Wibowo confirmed that this year's Nataru stimulus budget has more than doubled compared to the previous holiday cycle.

The government estimates this program will reach approximately 6.14 million transport users.

"Last year the budget stood at IDR 387 billion. This year we have allocated IDR 883 billion for the same four transport categories. This means the Christmas and New Year travel stimulus has increased more than twofold," Drajad stated during the 2026 Nataru Mobility Expo in Jakarta.

From the total budget, around IDR 722 billion is allocated for Air Transport incentives. The remaining IDR 161.4 billion will be distributed for railway services, sea passenger vessels and ferry crossings. 

Official projections indicate this stimulus will support approximately 3.7 million aircraft passengers, 1.04 million rail passengers, and 414,000 sea vessel passengers.

For ferry crossing services, the coverage target includes over 188,000 foot passengers and 467,000 motor vehicles.

This substantial transport support is being rolled out as Indonesia's domestic tourism market continues to show consistent positive growth.

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded that Domestic Indonesian Travelers made 938.84 million trips between January and September 2026, marking a 4.10% increase compared to the same period the prior year.

For the month of September alone, this figure reached 96.69 million trips, representing 2.47% year-on-year growth.

These numbers confirm the strong end-of-year domestic travel potential. With more affordable transport costs, the public will have greater flexibility to plan trips, extend holiday durations, or consider destinations that were not previously on their itinerary.

Beyond Bali and Yogyakarta

Rusmiati, Chairwoman of the Indonesian Tour and Travel Companies Association (ASITA), projects that Bali, Yogyakarta, and Bandung will remain the most popular destinations for the Year End Holiday period.

For Domestic Tourists, the Puncak highland area, Bogor, Malang, as well as multiple cities across Central and East Java are also expected to see high visitor volumes.

"Meanwhile the Puncak and Bogor region, Malang, and several cities in Central and East Java are consistently preferred choices for Domestic Tourists," Rusmiati noted.

However, ASITA believes this Nataru holiday period also presents an opportunity for travellers to visit Alternative Destinations.

A more diverse spread of travel choices is expected to help distribute visitor flows, so that tourism and consumer spending is not concentrated solely in already overcrowded popular regions.

"We encourage the public to explore different destinations across Indonesia aligned with their personal interests and travel circumstances," she stated.

As reference: Yogyakarta offers renowned Cultural Tourism, heritage sites and local cuisine; Labuan Bajo is famous for its natural landscapes and marine attractions; while Lake Toba provides a combination of spectacular scenery plus authentic Cultural Experience offerings. 

Village tourism destinations are also a recommended option for travellers wishing to immerse themselves in local community life, taste regional speciality food, and purchase local craft products.

August 2026 data from the Ministry of Tourism shows West Java recorded approximately 18.71 million Domestic Indonesian Traveler trips, followed by East Java with 16.44 million trips and Central Java recording 13.79 million trips. 

The Special Region of Yogyakarta recorded 3.89 million trips, while Bali recorded around 2.37 million trips. This data illustrates the scale of tourist movement across all provinces, noting that trip counts do not always correspond to unique individual travellers.

Weather Risks and Destination Readiness

This opportunity for increased tourist arrivals must be matched with proper preparation for weather conditions. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) forecasts that most parts of the country will enter the Rainy Season in November and December 2026. 

Peak rainfall is projected to occur between December 2026 and February 2027, meaning the Nataru holiday window will overlap with a period requiring extra caution for all Outdoor Activities.

Rusmiati advised travellers to adjust their travel plans according to weather conditions and follow official safety recommendations from destination management authorities. 

Activities including trekking, Marine Tourism, mountain hiking, and all other outdoor pursuits should only be undertaken after reviewing the latest official updates.

"As this Christmas and New Year holiday coincides with the rainy season across many regions, travellers are advised to adjust their planned activities accordingly. Always verify latest safety guidance from destination operators before proceeding with outdoor activities," Rusmiati stated.

She also recommended the public book tickets, accommodation, and Tour Packages well in advance. Travellers should confirm full details regarding facilities, schedules, pricing, and cancellation policies before completing any bookings. It is also advised to prepare personal supplies including rain gear, change of clothing, and personal medication.

"Most importantly, remain flexible regarding schedule changes and always follow instructions from tour guides and on-site authorities. We want everyone to enjoy a safe, comfortable holiday, while acting responsibly towards the environment and local communities at all destinations visited," she added.

Ultimately, the Transportation Stimulus is only one component supporting increased travel. Full economic benefits will be realised when tourists do not simply pass through destinations, but also book overnight stays, patronise local food vendors, use local guide services, and purchase products from local small businesses and artisans.(Antara)