Citilink’s New International Routes to Boost Foreign Tourist Visits

Denpasar, InfoPublik - The movement of foreign tourists from Malaysia and Australia is expected to increase following the launch of Citilink’s new direct international routes from Denpasar to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Perth in Australia.

Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry’s Marketing Development I Deputy Rizki Handayani, Monday (11/11) said, Malaysia and Australia are the two main markets contributing to foreign tourist visits to Indonesia so that the opening of Citilink’s two direct flights will increase the positive contribution in foreign tourist visits.

"With Citilink’s new routes, Denpasar foreign tourist market will experience healthy grow on all fronts. Bali will increasingly become a favorite destination for tourists, "said Rizki Handayani.

The first flight of the new routes departed on Friday (8/11) from Denpasar, Bali. The launching ceremony for the Denpasar-Kuala Lumpur route (vv) was attended by Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry’s Assistant Deputy of Regional II Marketing Development I Fahmizal. Also present were Garuda Country Manager for Malaysia Fredrik Kaisiepo and Citilink Branch Manager for Malaysia Moch Dikdik Mulyana.

Also present was Senior Deputy Director of the International Promotion Division of Tourism Malaysia Azilina Azni Zainal Abidin and Senior Manager, Business Intelligence & Strategy Airline Marketing Malaysia Airport Sarjanisham Darus.

Rizki revealed that from January to September 2019, the number of visits from Malaysian tourist ranked first with highest number of foreign tourist visits to Indonesia, at 2.34 million visits. Meanwhile, the Australian tourists reached 1.02 million visits, placing it the fourth on the rank.

"With Citilink, there will be better movements of tourists from the two countries," Rizki said.
Fahmizal added that the two additional international routes will also increase the flow of tourists from the millennials, of which the potential is very high. He explained that the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry will provide full support to Citilink, expecting that the new axis will develop rapidly and contribute to a positive impact on tourism.

Citilink's Managing Director, Juliandra said, the two new international routes from Kuala Lumpur and Perth to Denpasar were indeed very potential in terms of business.

"These two international routes are very strategic. It has great and promising business potential. Citilink will attract more visits to Bali's destinations. We are sure that foreign tourist visits, especially the millennial, will be very high," said Juliandra.

The Kuala Lumpur-Denpasar route is operated by Citilink with flight number QG 527 at 18:35 local time every day. The Denpasar-Kuala Lumpur flight operates with flight number QG 525 at 14:45 local time. This route is served using Airbus A320 aircraft with a capacity of 180 passengers.

The Perth-Denpasar route is operated with flight number QG 543 at 09:40 local time every day. The Denpasar-Perth flight operates with flight number QG 542 every 01:00 local time. This route is also served using Airbus A320 aircraft with a capacity of 180 passengers. (Reporter: Untung S., Translator: Penni Patmawati Rusman)