JABAR EKSPRES – The Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, has expressed support for tourism in both countries and is seeking more flights to and from Indonesia.
“We support Garuda’s direct reopening of the Incheon-Denpasar route, which started at the beginning of the year,” said Deputy Chief Representative of the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul Zelda Wulan Kartika, during a meeting with journalists participating in the Indonesian Next Generation Journalist Network on Korea, in Seoul, Tuesday (5/30).
Zelda said they are also encouraging the opening of other flight routes between Indonesia and South Korea, including with low-cost airlines so that more South Koreans visit Indonesia and vice versa.
Bali is still the most popular tourist destination for South Koreans. The Indonesian Embassy, Zelda said, is encouraging other tourist destinations in Indonesia to be visited by South Koreans such as Batam Island (Riau Islands), Manado (North Sulawesi) and Labuan Bajo (East Nusa Tenggara), for example to play golf, a popular sport in South Korea.
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National airline Garuda Indonesia in mid-May announced an increase in flight frequency on international routes, including to South Korea.
The airline currently serves Incheon-Jakarta return flights three times per week, up from two times per week previously.
The increase in international flight frequency is a move by Garuda to respond to the growth of the global travel industry, which is showing a positive trend.
Indonesia and South Korea are celebrating 50 years of bilateral relations this year. South Korea is listed as one of the largest trade and investment partners for Indonesia.
Another area of cooperation that is being promoted between Indonesia and South Korea is in the creative and digital economy. According to Zelda, Indonesia can learn how the Korean Wave, a wave of South Korean culture, has not only reached Asia, but also Europe and America.
