Flights Start Crowded But Airfare Prices Rise By 70 Percent, Association Of Travel Agents: This Is A New Challenge For The Tourism Industry

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Association of the Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA) West Kalimantan Ifan Ronaldo Barus considered that the significant increase in air ticket prices was a new challenge in the development of the tourism industry.

"Recently, airline tickets for both domestic and foreign routes have experienced a significant increase of up to 70 percent. Now that's a new challenge in the world of tourism that needs to be a common concern. In the past, going to Singapore Rp. 700 thousand was enough and now it is above Rp. 1 million," he said in Pontianak, West Kalimantan (West Kalimantan), quoted from Antara, Monday, June 13.

He explained that the COVID-19 pandemic that had hit in the last two years had slowed down. Then it makes the relaxation of community activities, including travel. Since the end of 2021, new activities have begun to move and peak at Eid 1443 H where the movement of people increases.

"The tourism industry is actually starting to wake up and is heading for recovery and normalcy. It's just that ticket prices go up. The impact is certainly very large and can hold people back from traveling. Those who travel or travel are of course of special interest or important needs," he said.

With these conditions, according to him, a strong effort is needed from the tourism industry players in West Kalimantan, especially in the promotion of tourist destinations through tour packages that are able to bring tourists to West Kalimantan.

"Promotion must be intense. West Kalimantan has huge potential but it requires hard work in promotion. Special interest tourism in West Kalimantan is interesting to work on," he explained.

He explained that in terms of tourist destinations in West Kalimantan, they still rely on Singkawang City and Pontianak City. This is supported by complete facilities and infrastructure as well as tourist attraction activities such as Cap Go Meh and Kulmination Matahari.

"Natural and cultural tourism that can attract tourists in West Kalimantan. West Kalimantan has the potential to be developed and maximized," he said.