When the vibrant banners of the Garuda Indonesia Travel Fair (GATF) 2025 were raised inside Mal Jayapura this October, it wasn’t just another commercial event—it was a symbol of post-pandemic recovery, digital transformation, and economic optimism in Papua. The event, jointly organized by Garuda Indonesia and Bank Mandiri, brought together travelers, tourism stakeholders, and local entrepreneurs under one roof to reignite enthusiasm for domestic tourism while subtly supporting Indonesia’s broader economic stability agenda.
A Gateway to Affordable Travel and Economic Recovery
From October 25–27, the bustling atrium of Mal Jayapura transformed into a lively hub of discounted airfares, travel promotions, and cultural exhibitions. With ticket discounts of up to 60 percent and additional benefits for Bank Mandiri credit cardholders, visitors lined up early to grab the best deals for popular destinations such as Bali, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta.
According to reports from Jubi.id and RRI Jayapura, the local government fully supported the initiative, viewing the event as more than just a travel fair. Head of the Central Statistics Agency of Papua Province Adriana H Carolina emphasized that such initiatives play a crucial role in “restoring travel confidence, connecting regions, and boosting tourism-based local economies.”
As Indonesia continues to consolidate its recovery from inflationary pressures and global uncertainty, the GATF in Jayapura acts as a small yet significant engine driving local spending and mobility. Visitors who buy tickets don’t just support the airline industry—they indirectly sustain hospitality, restaurants, and creative sectors that depend on travel activity.
Tourism and Inflation: An Unlikely Economic Partnership
At first glance, a travel fair may not seem directly linked to inflation control. Yet, economists and local government representatives argue otherwise. The Garuda Travel Fair encourages increased mobility and market circulation, stimulating consumption in controlled, productive ways.
During the opening ceremony, officials from the Bank Indonesia Papua Office remarked that rising consumer confidence through events like this creates a “healthy spending pattern” that counterbalances inflationary tendencies. When people invest in travel and experiences, it signals stable purchasing power—helping maintain price equilibrium in other sectors.
Papua’s inflation rate, which had hovered above 3% in early 2025 due to logistics and food price volatility, has begun to stabilize partly thanks to improved regional connectivity. The fair’s timing is strategic: increased flights, expanded tourism routes, and digital booking campaigns ease supply chain bottlenecks and improve economic flow between Papua and other provinces.
Garuda Indonesia’s Strategic Commitment to Eastern Indonesia
For Garuda Indonesia, bringing the national travel fair to Jayapura symbolizes an enduring commitment to equalizing opportunities across the archipelago. While such events are often centered in Jakarta or Surabaya, the airline’s decision to host it in Papua reflects a shift toward inclusive growth.
“Papua is not just a destination—it is the frontier of Indonesia’s connectivity,” said General Manager Garuda Indonesia Branch Office Jayapura Innu Al Kautsar in a statement covered by Papua.tribunnews.com. The company has been expanding routes to better connect Jayapura, Sorong, Timika, and Manokwari with major hubs like Denpasar and Makassar.
This connectivity is more than logistical—it’s emotional and symbolic. For Papuans, affordable access to air travel means stronger ties with families across provinces, more business opportunities, and exposure to other cultures. For the national airline, it reaffirms its role as a “bridge of the archipelago,” turning aviation into an instrument of unity and development.
Collaboration with Bank Mandiri: Building a Smart Travel Ecosystem
Behind the glittering discounts and colorful booths lies a deeper partnership between Garuda Indonesia and Bank Mandiri. Through this collaboration, travelers could enjoy up to an additional 10% discount, zero-interest installment plans, and access to travel insurance products—all through digital platforms.
According to Kabarpapua.co, Bank Mandiri’s Regional CEO for Papua emphasized the bank’s strategic role in “driving consumer confidence through accessible financing.” The partnership not only boosts Garuda’s ticket sales but also expands the digital transaction ecosystem in Papua, aligning with the government’s broader “Digital Economy Acceleration Roadmap.”
Visitors at the event were also encouraged to use QRIS payments for transactions, reflecting the steady progress of financial digitalization in Eastern Indonesia. This aligns with the Bank Indonesia Papua Office’s goal to increase non-cash transactions, which rose 35% year-on-year in 2025. The event, therefore, served as both an economic catalyst and an educational platform for digital financial inclusion.
Jayapura’s Growing Role in National Tourism
The Garuda Indonesia Travel Fair in Jayapura isn’t an isolated occurrence—it’s part of a larger national effort to decentralize Indonesia’s tourism growth. While Bali, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta remain dominant, the government now recognizes Papua’s potential as a unique and untapped tourism frontier.
Jayapura, with its serene beaches, cultural diversity, and proximity to Sentani Lake, has quietly grown into an emerging destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. According to the Papua Tourism Office, tourist arrivals increased by 18% in 2024, thanks in part to better infrastructure and improved flight access.
Events like GATF amplify this momentum by not only selling tickets but also showcasing Papua as a destination in itself. Booths featuring cultural performances, Papuan crafts, and eco-tourism packages captured visitors’ attention, creating a sense of local pride. As one exhibitor told Tempo.co, “We are no longer promoting travel to Papua, but travel from Papua—connecting us with the rest of Indonesia and the world.”
Government Support and Vision for Sustainable Tourism
The Papua Provincial Government views GATF 2025 as an integral part of its tourism transformation agenda. Head of the Bureau of Economics and Development Administration, Regional Secretary of Papua Province Andry stated in remarks that sustainable tourism is key to diversifying Papua’s economy beyond mining and agriculture.
He praised Garuda Indonesia’s initiative as “a strong example of how the private sector and government can collaborate to unlock the region’s tourism potential while maintaining economic balance.” The event aligns with the national Tourism Transformation Blueprint 2025–2030, which emphasizes eco-tourism, digitalization, and community-based tourism.
Local small businesses were also invited to participate in the fair, displaying Papuan handicrafts, sago-based culinary products, and tour packages to Sentani, Wamena, and Raja Ampat. This inclusive approach ensures that economic benefits flow to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), helping to lower unemployment and maintain regional purchasing power.
Strengthening Regional Connectivity and Social Cohesion
The deeper story behind GATF Jayapura 2025 is not only economic—it’s social and cultural. Air connectivity has long been a challenge in Papua due to its rugged terrain and limited infrastructure. By expanding affordable access through such promotions, Garuda Indonesia contributes to what local leaders call “social connectivity.”
Students can return home for holidays more easily; local entrepreneurs can attend trade expos in Makassar or Surabaya; and health tourism—such as medical trips to Manado or Jakarta—becomes more feasible for middle-class families. This multidimensional connectivity strengthens national integration and reduces the psychological sense of isolation often felt in Indonesia’s easternmost provinces.
A Symbol of Confidence in Papua’s Future
As the final day of the fair concluded, with enthusiastic visitors still queuing for last-minute deals, one thing was clear: the Garuda Indonesia Travel Fair in Jayapura has become more than an event—it’s a statement of confidence in Papua’s economic and social future.
In a region often portrayed through the lens of security and development challenges, the sight of hundreds of families planning holidays and young travelers exploring ticket deals paints a different picture—one of hope, empowerment, and connectivity.
For Garuda Indonesia, Bank Mandiri, and the Papua Provincial Government, this synergy represents a shared vision: to turn mobility into opportunity, tourism into stability, and connectivity into prosperity.
Conclusion
The Garuda Trade Fair in Jayapura stands as a living example of how coordinated efforts between business, finance, and government can deliver tangible economic impact. It connects the dots between macroeconomic stability and everyday human experiences—between inflation control and family vacations.
By making travel more affordable and inclusive, Papua’s skies are no longer distant—they are gateways to growth. As Indonesia continues to modernize its tourism and digital infrastructure, the success of GATF 2025 in Jayapura may well serve as a blueprint for sustainable economic resilience—anchored not only in numbers, but in the aspirations of the people who dare to dream of flight.