Boosting Tourism Foreign Exchange Inflow, Belitung International Route Reopened
This development signals a new chapter in the development of the Tanjung Kelayang Special Economic Zone (SEZ), enhancing international tourist visits and regional economic growth, as well as implementing directives from the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, to promote tourism, including through direct international flight connections.
Direct flights between Belitung and Singapore are now available again via regular services operated by Scoot airline. The route connecting Changi Airport with Belitung operates twice a week and has received a significant response from international tourists, particularly from Southeast Asia. The inaugural flight using an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft with a capacity of 112 seats recorded 80 arriving passengers (load factor >70%).
“The economic impact and multiplier effect from opening this international gateway are very significant. The projections are highly optimistic, with the potential for a surge in Belitung’s economic growth, strongly driven by foreign exchange brought by international tourists,” explained the Spokesperson for the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Haryo Limanseto, in his statement on Tuesday (5/5/2026).
Furthermore, Haryo added that foreign tourist activities not only contribute to the hospitality and transportation sectors but also create a chain effect reaching micro-business operators and local communities. The economic circulation from this sector tends to be faster and more directly felt compared to other sectors with longer distribution chains.
This strengthening of connectivity also aligns with global best practices, where world-class destinations like Bali, Langkawi, and Koh Samui demonstrate that adequate international flight access is key to attracting high-quality tourists and enhancing the economic value of the area.
The economic value of a tourism destination will be directly proportional to the level of tourist visits and the amount of foreign exchange circulating in the area, with impacts extending not only to primary sectors but also to local businesses and communities around arrival points such as transportation and supporting services.
The government views connectivity-based tourism development as an important strategy amid global dynamics. Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, have optimised the tourism sector as a new source of economic growth through major investments in infrastructure and accessibility.
In the national context, the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ is expected to become a main hub for international-based tourism development outside established destinations.
Synergy between the central government, local government, and business actors will continue to be strengthened to ensure the sustainability of flight operations and improvements in destination service quality. The government will also continue to promote the optimisation of the SEZ as an economic driver, including through increased investment, strengthened promotion, and development of an integrated and globally competitive tourism ecosystem.
“We see this not merely as the opening of a flight route, but as part of a broader strategy to accelerate regional economic growth, create jobs, and expand the national foreign exchange base,” emphasised Spokesperson Haryo.
Tourism data shows that foreign tourist visits to Belitung have consistently increased from around 7,000 in 2023 to 10,000 in 2024. The direct international flights are expected to boost the number of visits and facilitate branding Pulau Belitung as a priority and high-quality tourism destination.
“As one of the priority tourism destinations, Belitung is in a strategic position, only about 1 hour from Jakarta, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. The Coordinating Ministry for the Economy is committed to making international airport status a leverage for the resurgence of the tourism sector in Belitung, supported by the presence of the Tanjung Kelayang Tourism SEZ,” added Assistant Deputy for Tourism Development, Herfan Brilianto.