Tourism sector needs aviation support
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Investor Daily - Sektor pariwisata butuh dukungan penerbangan
6 January 2025
By Edo Rusyanto
Jakarta, ID – The tourism sector requires additional flight routes to increase international tourist visits in 2025.
The Tourism Ministry predicts that this year, international tourist arrivals will reach between 14 and 16 million individuals.
This view is shared by Deddy Pranowo Eryono, Chairperson of the Yogyakarta Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI); Bobby Ardiyanto, Chairperson of the Yogyakarta Indonesia Tourism Industry Board (GIPI); and Tourism Deputy Minister Ni Luh Puspa, as compiled by Investor Daily on Sunday (5/12/2024).
The Yogyakarta PHRI is urging the government to increase international flight routes at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) to boost the province's tourism sector.
On Saturday, 4 January 2025, Deddy Pranowo Eryono highlighted that international flight accessibility is crucial for attracting more tourists, especially from Asian countries, to Yogyakarta.
"Flight access to and from other countries to Yogyakarta must be encouraged," he stated.
Currently, YIA only offers direct flights from Singapore and Malaysia, so new routes are needed to enhance Yogyakarta's tourism competitiveness on the international stage.
"There must be at least one flight route from Thailand to Yogyakarta. Providing access from Thailand will have a significant impact," Deddy said, as reported by Antara.
He noted that the Borobudur Temple, a major tourist attraction in Central Java and Yogyakarta, is particularly appealing to tourists from Thailand, especially Buddhists.
"Central Java-Yogyakarta has Borobudur, which is culturally similar to Thailand. It is the holy land for Buddhists," he stated.
Deddy remains optimistic that improving air accessibility in Yogyakarta will effectively support the government's goal of boosting foreign exchange from tourism.
"The tourism sector needs more focus as it has a wide multiplier effect on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It will also impact the workforce and other sectors, such as transportation," he stated.
Bobby Ardiyanto shares similar hopes for increased international flights at YIA.
He believes YIA is ready to accommodate more international flights, as the airport's capacity is still ample.
"The existing capacity has not reached 50%. This includes both domestic and international flights," Bobby stated.
Currently, international tourists visiting Yogyakarta primarily come from Singapore and Malaysia, as these countries have direct flights to YIA.
Tourists from Europe, the Middle East, and other regions typically arrive via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta or I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali before continuing to Yogyakarta.
He acknowledged that, on average, international tourists in Yogyakarta stay for two days. "With direct flights, we believe this can increase to five days and four nights. For comparison, in Bali, international tourists stay for seven days and six nights," Bobby said.
2025 target
Meanwhile, Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa began the first day of 2025 by welcoming international tourists at Bandar Bentan Telani Port in Lagoi, Bintan, Riau Islands.
"I am confident that from the start of this year until the end of 2025, we can achieve the international tourist arrival target," Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa stated on Wednesday (1/1/2025).
This reception of international tourists arriving in Indonesia via the Riau Islands in 2025 is symbolic and expresses hope for the tourism sector to make a significant impact throughout the year.
Riau Islands play a strategic role in sustaining international tourist arrivals to Indonesia. Its location, bordering Singapore and Malaysia, makes it one of the three major entry points for international tourists to Indonesia, alongside Bali and Jakarta.
Riau Islands offer a variety of attractions, including natural, cultural, man-made, and sporting destinations.
"It is an extraordinary opportunity for the Riau Islands to increase international tourist arrivals," the Deputy Tourism Minister stated.
She also encourages the tourism industry to enhance innovation and creativity to showcase new destinations that prioritise quality and sustainable tourism.
"Enhanced attractions are expected to extend tourists' stays and increase their spending," the Deputy Tourism Minister stated.
"In 2025, the Tourism Ministry aims to achieve between 14 and 16 million international tourist visits. I hope many international tourists will visit the Riau Islands," Ni Luh Puspa stated.
Meanwhile, the performance of Indonesia’s tourism sector continues to show a positive trend, as the growth of international tourist visits to Indonesia increased by 20% from January to November 2024.
Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reported that in November 2024, the number of international tourist visits reached 1.09 million. From January to November 2024, international tourist visits to Indonesia totalled 12.66 million, marking a 20.17% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
This growth is the highest in the last five years.
"We must appreciate this achievement as a result of the collective effort of the Tourism Ministry and all stakeholders to enhance the tourism sector's performance, ensuring it is high-quality and sustainable for the benefit of the people," stated Acting Marketing Deputy of the Tourism Ministry, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, on Saturday (4/1/2025).
The number of international tourist visits in 2024 surpassed the previous year's total of 11.68 million visits.
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