Korean Air is set to open a chartered flight from Incheon airport to Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), starting on July 29. According to Head of the NTB tourism agency, Lalu Moh Faozal, the South Korean airline has prepared seven flights up to October 9.
“The flight will carry 200 passengers in each flight from Incheon,” said Faozal on Wednesday, July 12. Australian Jet Star will also open a flight from Sydney, Australia to Lombok.
South Koreans have been attracted to Lombok ever since a Korean drama series shot an episode in gili Trawangan and several other locations in Lombok.
Considering that Lombok has successfully grabbed the attention of international tourism community, Faozal urged the people of NTB to improve the quality of several aspects in NTB such as problems of traffic congestion and environmental problems.
Tourism has been the fourth largest contributor for Indonesia’s economy, devoting 9.3 percent to the national income compared to other national industrial aspects. Tourism also contributes 10 percent of Indonesia’s total gross domestic product (GDP).
Previously, South Korean ambassador, Taiyoung Cho met with the governor of West nusa Tenggara, Muhammad Zainul Majdi. “Lombok is really popular there,” said Taiyoung Cho. Korean businessmen will be diverted to invest in the property sector.
Direct flights between Incheon and Lombok by the Korean Air are expected to help improve foreign tourist arrivals in NTB.