PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk has officially partnered with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Mastercard to launch an initiative known as the Garuda Indonesia Stopover Programme, aimed to change the travel habits of international tourists who would usually pass through Indonesia’s major spots without exploring further.
Under the new initiative, international travellers on both long-haul and regional routes can enjoy connecting flights to domestic destinations at no additional cost. The Garuda Indonesia Stopover Programme is expected to encourage more foreign tourists to explore hidden gems beyond major entry points such as Jakarta and Bali.
“Through the Garuda Indonesia Stopover Programme, we aim to add value to trips to Indonesia by offering travellers more options to extend their journeys domestically,” Mukhtaris, the Acting Commercial Director of Garuda Indonesia, said in a statement on Monday, the 5th of October.
Moreover, the multi-destination holiday package is designed to significantly extend the length of foreign tourists’ stays in Indonesia. Expanding travel flows is expected to increase direct tourist spending in the regions and strengthen local tourism ecosystems.
“Initiatives like the Garuda Indonesia Stopover Programme can encourage international tourists to explore new destinations while ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism are felt directly by local communities and MSMEs across Indonesia,” Ni Made Ayu Marthini, the Deputy for Marketing at the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, said as well.
Meanwhile, Mastercard’s involvement focuses on leveraging its global network and data-driven consumer insights to reach cardholders in various countries.
“Through access to a global network of cardholders, we channel cross-border spending directly into regional tourism ecosystems, local artisans, and MSMEs across the archipelago,” Aileen Goh, the Country Manager for Mastercard Indonesia, explained.
The Garuda Indonesia Stopover Programme is available to passengers travelling on eligible long-haul and regional international routes operated by Garuda Indonesia. Passengers can select a domestic connecting flight to specific destinations at no additional cost. Only participating destinations are available for selection when booking tickets. The booking and travel period runs until the end of November 2026, with bookings available via the official Garuda Indonesia website, the FlyGaruda app, and authorised travel agency partners.