Kupang, October 19, 2017 - To support the development of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) tourism, El Tari Kupang Airport of the PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) Branch initiated focus groups discussion (FGD) entitled Collaborative Destination Development (CDD) Kupang and supports Komodo Travel Mart (KTM), with the topic "Collaboration to Improve Tourism Industry in East Nusa Tenggara". In addition, to increase passenger traffic to NTT, PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) also provides incentives for airlines that open new routes of scheduled flights to and from Kupang.
The CDD activity held on Thursday (19/10) at the Swiss Bell Hotel was a follow up of the Kupang CDD which was held in February 2016 which in each of its operations involves local government representatives from the Tourism Office, Provincial Government, Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agents (ASITA), and other business actors in tourism.
CDD is a collaboration forum of various tourism industry stakeholders in the area initiated by Angkasa Pura I since 2015. CDD aims to support the development of regional tourism potential in the central and eastern regions of Indonesia, so that the tourism sector can be used as a motor of regional development and improve the welfare of the community.
While Komodo Travel Mart is one of the annual event ASITA in order to bring together domestic and international travel agents to be able to work together and promote travel tour packages in NTT. To further enhance the positive impact, ASITA and Angkasa Pura I collaborated by combining the CDD and KTM events.
"The merger of CDD and Komodo Travel Mart activities is a follow-up to the CDD in 2016 where collaboration between government, companies and tourism institutions in NTT is an important point in tourism development. With the merger of these two activities, it is expected to help domestic and international travel agents to bring more tourists to come to East Nusa Tenggara,"said by Danang S. Baskorothe President Directorof PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero).
The implementation of CDD in February 2016 then indirectly had a positive impact on the increasing number of tourists coming to NTT. This is indicated by the drastic increase of tourist numbers in 2015-2016 period by 101% from 441,316 domestic and international tourists in 2015 to 889,833 tourists in 2016. While the previous year growth was only 11% ie 397,543 tourists in 2014 to 441,316 in 2015.
"In order to maintain the high growth of tourists to NTT, Angkasa Pura I provides incentives to airlines such as landing fee fee for 6 months as the airline opens new route scheduled flights to and from Kupang. In addition, the airline also gets free banner installation for one month at the airport for their promotional purposes and free inauguration at the airport,"said by Moch. Asrorithe Director of Marketing and Services of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero).
In addition to programs for airlines in order to stimulate increased passenger traffic, there are various other efforts related to service to tourists at airports and airport development, especially at El Tari Airport Kupang. Director of International Relations and Business Development of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) Sardjono Jhony Tjitrokusumo said that the growth of tourist numbers is supported by several tourism-related efforts conducted by El Tari Airport Kupang such as organizing thematic events at the airport in accordance with the calendar of tourism events in NTT, Tourist Information Center at the airport, preparation of international terminal for preparation of Kupang-Dili international flight, cultural tourism event in cooperation with Tourism Office, and flight addition by Lion Air, Wings and Transnusa airlines.
"In addition, to support the convenience of tourists at the airport, there are also beautification of the terminal at the airport and changes in the commercial space plan, the addition of tenants with a well-known brand, the addition of buildings or buildings for the Aircraft Freight Expedition or EMPU, and the development and expansion plan of El Tari Airport," said by Sardjono Jhony.
With good collaboration between airport operators, airlines, tour operators and local governments, it is hoped that the development of NTT's tourism industry will accelerate faster, thus positively impacting NTT's economic growth.
