Whoosh Station is the new tourism magnet on the Jakarta-Bandung route.

The sound of steel wheels racing on the tracks, gliding smoothly from Halim to Padalarang, appears to symbolize a major transformation in Indonesian tourism. Whoosh, Southeast Asia's first high-speed train, now stands not just as an advanced transportation mode but as the primary engine driving economic and tourism revival along the Jakarta–Bandung corridor.

Since early 2025, areas surrounding major stations like Padalarang, Tegalluar, and Halim have evolved into new hubs of tourism and commercial activity. Accommodations, restaurants, and cafes have multiplied significantly, accommodating tourist inflows from Jakarta to international destinations. 

By September 2025, 566,829 foreign tourists had experienced journeys aboard Whoosh.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) confirms this trend. Foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia surged dramatically—from 5.89 million visits in 2022 to 11.67 million in 2023, reaching 13.88 million in 2024. Notably, just during January–August 2025, arrivals hit 10.03 million, exceeding the same period last year. 

Beyond tourism, local economic activity accelerated. Around stations, 188 active tenants now operate—76 being Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) alongside 112 non-MSME businesses.

They offer diverse products ranging from regional culinary specialties and local fashion to unique souvenirs that delight passengers. 

The Whoosh Official Merchandise program at Halim and Padalarang Stations has become a platform for youth creativity, featuring national-pride themed t-shirts, tote bags, and tumblers.

A green economy ethos pulses through every innovation. Whoosh enhances multimodal integration through collaborations with Jabodebek LRT, tourism shuttles, and feeder buses, simplifying access to popular destinations like Lembang, Ciwidey, and Pangalengan. 

Trips from the capital to tea plantations and white craters now transition from exhausting journeys into integral tourism experiences.

More Than Just Modern Transportation

Public enthusiasm for Whoosh shines through the Frequent Whoosher Card (FWC) program. By October 2025, 20,996 cards had been issued—a near fivefold increase from the previous year. 

This reflects public trust in Whoosh’s fast, comfortable, and forward-looking service.

Transcending its role as modern transit, Whoosh embodies sustainable, eco-friendly mobility.

Its presence advances low-emission development and green economy goals aligned with the government’s Asta Cita framework, particularly in expanding connectivity and improving community livelihoods.

“Whoosh demonstrates how transportation innovation can harmonize environmental sustainability with economic growth. Through cutting-edge technology, professional governance, and planetary stewardship, the KAI Group delivers mobility solutions that are not only efficient but also enrich society and national tourism,” concluded Anne.