KUCHING: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Sarawak chapter said Indonesia AirAsia’s direct route from Jakarta to Kuching will provide an additional gateway for tourists to enter and leave Kuching.
Its chairman, Oscar Choo, said it would also have a positive impact on medical tourism, adding that the new route would position Kuching as an umrah gateway, which could lead to increased tourism and business opportunities in the region.
“We are delighted by this new international route. This initiative automatically opens another gate to and out of Kuching, which is highly needed to increase the number of tourist arrivals for both leisure and business.
“This will also significantly have a positive impact on medical tourism and position Kuching nicely as an umrah gateway,” he said when contacted by the New Sarawak Tribune today (May 5).
However, he expressed concern about the capacity of the Kuching International Airport to cater for more flights and passengers.
“I believe this matter would require the immediate attention of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB),” he said.
For the record, AirAsia already flies between Singapore and three Sarawak cities, namely Kuching, Miri and Sibu, making it the airline with the widest network between Singapore and Sarawak.
The new route to Jakarta will make it the second city in the Asean region to be connected with Sarawak by AirAsia.
In addition to its international service, AirAsia also offers domestic flights within Sarawak as well as to Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
The airline’s expansion into the region is expected to boost tourism and business opportunities, providing a much-needed economic boost in the region.
