Indonesia’s railway system, long cherished by locals, is quickly becoming a top choice for international tourists exploring the country. Recent data from Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) highlights this growing trend, with a significant surge in foreign passengers opting for trains during their travels across Java and Sumatra.
From January 1 to July 31, 2024, KAI recorded a remarkable 330,088 foreign tourists using the train network. The trend has only accelerated, as Anne, a spokesperson for KAI, revealed in a statement, quoted from detikTravel: “Ticket bookings by international tourists from January 1, 2024, to August 22, 2024, have already reached 410,051. In 2023, KAI transported 533,594 international tourists, which was a significant increase of 95.38% from 273,112 in 2022.”
The surge in train travel among foreign visitors in 2023 can be largely attributed to the government’s decision to ease Covid-19 restrictions and lift the pandemic status in June 2023. This policy shift has allowed greater mobility, encouraging more tourists to explore Indonesia by rail.
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Anne further detailed the growing popularity of train travel among international tourists in 2024. “July saw the highest number of foreign passengers, with 78,441 tourists choosing trains. August followed closely with 68,147 passengers already served and awaiting departure by the end of the month. May also saw a substantial number, with 51,937 foreign tourists traveling by train,” she explained.
This increase in foreign tourists has driven KAI to enhance its services and facilities. Popular destinations like Bandung, Semarang, Cirebon, Yogyakarta, Purwokerto, Banyuwangi, and Medan have seen a notable influx of visitors arriving by train. “The enthusiasm of foreign tourists using trains in Indonesia motivates us to continuously improve our services,” Anne said.
KAI is actively upgrading station facilities to better serve both local and international passengers. “We’re adding more amenities, including water stations, clear signage and information in English, prayer rooms, clean toilets, comfortable accessibility, and other conveniences,” Anne noted.
In addition to these physical improvements, KAI is committed to enhancing the overall travel experience. “We are dedicated to providing meaningful and positive travel experiences, which will undoubtedly help promote Indonesia’s beautiful tourist destinations,” Anne concluded.
As Indonesia’s train network continues to gain popularity among international tourists, KAI’s ongoing efforts to improve services and facilities are set to play a crucial role in shaping the country’s tourism landscape.
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