New Flight Route Facilitates Access To Tourism

Deputy for Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism Ni Made Ayu Marthini. (ANTARA/HO Kemenpar)

JAKARTA - Efforts to strengthen connectivity between regions continue to be intensified to encourage national tourism growth. The opening of a number of new domestic flight routes is expected to be a breath of fresh air for tourists, facilitate mobility, as well as open up opportunities for regional economic growth.

With more varied flight routes and increased accessibility, tourists now have more choices of destinations that can be easily reached.

The Ministry of Tourism through the Deputy for Marketing, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, emphasized the importance of the role of connectivity in boosting tourist arrivals. He welcomed the steps taken by a number of airlines, such as Lion Air and Wings Air, which have opened new routes to expand the domestic flight network.

Lion Air membuka empat rute baru, sementara Wings Air menambah 13 rutean domestik. Ini menjadi langkah strategis untuk meningkatkan mobilitas wisatawan, baik dalam negeri maupun mancanegara, ujar Made seperti dikutip ANTARA.

Lion Air now connects Palangka Raya (Central Kalimantan) directly to Makassar (South Sulawesi), Bali, and Lombok, as well as opens flight routes from Manado to Bali. This route will start operating on March 21 and 22, 2025 using a Boeing 737-800NG fleet with a capacity of 189 economy class seats and a Boeing 737-900ER with a capacity of 215 seats.

Makassar is the main gateway to Eastern Indonesia. With this direct route, tourists from Palangka Raya can now more easily access big cities in the region, "explained Made. He also added that the Palangka Raya route "Bali opens up greater opportunities for people to vacation or develop the tourism sector.

Meanwhile, Wings Air expands its network by opening routes to various strategic destinations. These include the Kendari route to Wakatobi and Morowali; Makassar to Poso, Selayar, and Raha (Muna); Manado to Gorontalo; and Palu to Gorontalo and Ampana (Tojo Una-una).

Not only that, this airline also brings a connection from Tahuna to Melonguane and Manado, from Balikpapan to Tanjung Selor, from Ternate to Maba (East Halmahera), and from Kualanamu to Nagan Raya. All of these routes are served by ATR 72 aircraft with an ideal 72-seat capacity for short-distance flights in the archipelago.

According to Made, better connectivity not only makes it easier for tourists, but also opens up opportunities for regional economic growth.

This new Rute allows an increase in tourist visits and business people to various destinations, including Wakatobi which has the potential for excellent marine tourism. The impact will be felt directly on local business actors, ranging from lodging, restaurants, to tourism service providers," he said.

With the increase in domestic flight routes, it is hoped that tourist visits to various leading destinations will increase, while strengthening the economy of the local community.