Garuda Indonesia has launched its new Singapore-Tanjung Pandan service, which commenced operations on 29th October. The four-times-weekly schedule is serviced by Garuda Indonesia’s all-economy class configuration aircraft, the Bombardier CRJ – 1000. Flights depart from Singapore’s Changi Airport at 17.20 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and at 17.30 on Sundays, arriving at Hanandjoeddin International Airport at 17.50 and 18.00 respectively. The return flight departs from Hanandjoeddin International Airport in Tanjung Pandan at 14.50 and arrives at Singapore Changi Airport at 16.20.
83 passengers and journalists set off from Singapore on the inaugural flight, to enjoy some island-hopping to Kelayang Island and its surrounding attractions. The new flights have been timed to coincide with the December holiday season, and act as a precursor to further development in the region in the new year, including ferry ports and luxury accommodation.
“Five-star hotels and a golf course are currently being prepared to be used by foreign travellers at the end of 2018,†said Berlianto Situngkir, economic function coordinator at the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Singapore.
Belitung is one of the ’10 New Balis’ identified by the government for development, and one of the new destinations included in the Indonesian Tourism Ministry’s Hot Deals tourism package and Twin Destinations programme. These new initiatives have been developed specifically to attract more holidaymakers from neighbouring Singapore.
A total of 929,106 tourists from Singapore travelled to Indonesia between January and July of 2018, which represents an increase of 9.6 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. With the increase in demand evident, new facilities and travel options to Belitung are sure to put the Indonesian island firmly on the map in 2019.
