TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Yogyakarta Tourism Agency claimed that they are concerned about the decision to move the city's the airport to Kulonprogo. "Geographically speaking, Airport in Kulonprogo will be miles away from downtown [Yogyakarta]. This will certainly impact tourism," said Head of Tourism Agency, Eko Suryo Maharsono.
Eko said that the Adi Sutjipto Airport is currently 10 kilometers away from downtown Malioboro. Eko explained that by moving the airport to Kulonprogo, distance between the airport and downtown Yogyakarta will multiple by four times.
""We are concerned that [tourists] will hesitate to visit Yogyakarta. Foreign tourists will consider taking closer objects such as Borobudur Temple in Magelang, leaving Yogyakarta as a mere transit place," Eko said. "The only possible solution is for us to increase our pick-up service frequency."
The decision to move the airport, which scheduled to take place in 2018, is one of the strategic issue that the government is currently assessing. Eko claimed that he had discussed the issue with various organizations, such as Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) of Yogyakarta and Asita DIY travel bureau association.
