TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Mohammad Wahid Supriyadi said that the government will open a direct flight between Denpasar and Moscow, Russia, in August.
“We, together with [flag carrier] PT Garuda Indonesia, continue to prepare for the opening of a direct flight to Moscow,” Wahid said in Jakarta yesterday.
Read: Garuda Opens Kendari - Baubau Flight Route
The company will serve three flights a week between Denpasar and Moscow. Wahid said a flight will take 11 hours.
The new route is expected to become an alternative to people who previously need 20 hours to arrive in Russia. “Hopefully, the opening of the direct flight can attract more Russian tourists to come to Indonesia,” he noted.
The government’s decision to open Denpasar-Moscow route was taken considering that many Russians see Bali as their main tourist destination.
Read: Garuda Indonesia Opens Surabaya-Jeddah Flight Route
Should the direct flight to Russia becomes a hit, Wahid said that the government may open more routes, including in Jakarta.
Wahid revealed the potential hike in foreign exchange reserve from Russians. The first quarter this year saw 45,000 Russians visited the archipelago. “It’s a huge potential for Indonesia, don’t let ourselves lag behind Thailand who can attract foreign tourists to visit the country.”
In the same period, Wahid said, Thailand managed to attract 500,000 Russian tourists. “We have to achieve the target of 100,000 [visits],” he said.
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