In the first semester of 2024, East Kalimantan Province (Kaltim) welcomed 14,475 international tourists, achieving 80.42% of its annual target of 18,000 visitors. The monthly breakdown of visits during this period was as follows: January saw 2,300 tourists, February had 1,750, March recorded 1,691, April hosted 2,718, May welcomed 2,896, and June attracted 3,120 international tourists. Restiawan Baihaqi, Head of Promotion at the East Kalimantan Tourism Office, attributed the high number of international arrivals to improved connectivity in Indonesia, including the expansion of flight routes to East Kalimantan.
He noted that the aviation industry is continuously adapting to new domestic flight routes due to the growing demand for air travel since 2023, encompassing both international and domestic flights. "The resurgence in global air travel became apparent at the end of 2023, with many major international routes reopening. In Indonesia, the recovery of the aviation industry has been driven primarily by domestic travel," Baihaqi stated. He further highlighted that promoting tourism through meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions has had a dual impact, benefiting not only the tourism sector but also the economy. This includes sectors such as accommodation, transportation, catering services, and souvenirs, as well as creative economy products like art and local culinary goods. Overall, the increase in international tourists is contributing to the growth of various economic sectors related to tourism in East Kalimantan.
