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he government is working to boost tourism in Banyuwangi, East Java, by developing the regency’s airport into an international airport by 2019.

Banyuwangi, a regency on the eastern tip of Java Island, faces Bali, a far more popular destination among holidaymakers. The growing popularity of Banyuwangi, however, means it is considered a promising destination that can help support the government’s target of welcoming 20 million foreign tourists by 2019.

The regency was mostly known for its scenic Mount Ijen. But now, it offers a lot more tourist destinations including Green Bay, Red Beach, Boom Beach, Baluran Wildlife Reserve, G-Land Plengkung surfing beach and the newly-opened Grand Watu Dodol Beach.

The regency, which has been awarded the City of Carnival and Festival and named the Best Festival City by the Tourism Ministry in 2018, also offers cultural and artistic events to attract tourists.

Despite the various attractions and growing number of holidaymakers, the regency does not host direct international flights.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said the number of foreign tourist visits to Banyuwangi exceeded 100,000 last year, making up one-third of the total foreign tourist visits to East Java. That number was bigger than foreign tourist visits to most provinces in Sumatra combined.

“My hope is that when Banyuwangi Airport is developed into an international airport, the regency will become a world-class destination,” he said recently.

To realize the plan, the ministry aimed at attracting low-cost airlines such as AirAsia, Scoot and Jetstar to launch direct flights connecting Banyuwangi and Southeast Asian countries, as well as Australia and China.

“I discussed the matter with Jetstar and Scoot. I’ll also have a talk with Tony Fernandes and offer him an opportunity to open flights to Banyuwangi,” he said, referring to AirAsia’s founder.

The minister added he would propose that AirAsia work with state airport operator Angkasa Pura (AP) II to turn Banyuwangi into its hub. The airline would bring its aircraft and passengers to the regency, Arief said.

AP II itself is planning to invest Rp 400 billion (US$48 million) in Banyuwangi Airport to extend its runway to 2,650 meters as well as expand the apron to 18,000 square meters.

However, Arief acknowledged the most crucial factor in connectivity was its connections with the country’s main tourist gate: Bali.

“The smart move would be to have a flight connecting Denpasar and Banyuwangi,” he said, referring to Bali’s capital.

Banyuwangi currently serves several domestic flights, mostly from Jakarta, operated by national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, and starting Feb. 15 by its low-cost subsidiary Citilink. There is no flight connecting Denpasar and Banyuwangi.

The government hopes to develop an integrated tourist airport network between Bali and the nearby beach destinations comprising Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara and Banyuwangi.

Integration is also necessary following the eruption of Mount Agung in Bali, which hit tourist arrivals last year. Encouraging tourism in Lombok and Banyuwangi is thus viewed as a disaster mitigation plan.

The eruption that forced the government to temporarily close Ngurah Rai International Airport in November and the travel advisory issued by many countries meant Indonesia only saw 14 million foreign tourist visits last year, fewer than the targeted 15 million.

As Bali will welcome around 15,000 people for the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting in October, Minister Arief said the government would use the event to promote Banyuwangi.

Banyuwangi has stood out by holding a staggering 77 events this year alone, including Banyuwangi Jazz Festival and Tour de Ijen, a strategic move deployed to attract tourists.

Tourism has been prioritized under President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration. This year, the country aims at welcoming 17 million foreign tourists.

Citilink president director Juliandra Nurtjahjo said the airline would consider adding more services to Banyuwangi. “Citilink will add new domestic and international routes to support tourism. Banyuwangi’s strong will to introduce its tourist attractions at the international level has had Citilink’s attention for quite a while.”

For the new Citilink flight connecting Jakarta and Banyuwangi, the airline will fly once daily using a Boeing 737-500, with a capacity of 120 passengers on each flight.