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FIVE years of hard work have finally borne fruit for the Tanjung Kelayang Special Economic Zone (SEZ). On Sunday (5/03), 2026 regular international flights returned to Belitung Island, marking the revival of the tourism sector and opening a new source of foreign exchange for the regional and national economies.
Scoot, a low-cost carrier (LCC) of the Singapore Airlines group, now officially operates a direct flight from Changi Airport, one of Southeast Asia’s busiest hubs, to Belitung twice weekly. This inaugural flight was a resounding success, with cabin occupancy rates dominated by international tourists from Singapore.
Previously, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs conducted various in-depth studies regarding the economic impact and multiplier effects of the opening of this international gateway. Projections are very optimistic, with economic growth on Belitung Island potentially surging by up to 8%, driven strongly by foreign exchange brought in by international tourists.
Tourism is truly the simplest and most efficient way for a region to earn foreign exchange. Unlike foreign exchange from the industrial sector, which involves complex and time-consuming processes, the distribution and penetration of money from the tourism sector flows down to the individual level through a very short and rapid process chain.
The Tanjung Kelayang Special Economic Zone (SEZ), located on Belitung Island, as a Priority Tourism Destination, has taken significant steps. This area is positioning itself as a major locomotive for bridging international connectivity as an entry point for tourism foreign exchange for Indonesia.
Capitalizing on the strategic momentum amidst the geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, the Tanjung Kelayang Special Economic Zone (SEZ) continues to synergize with the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Tourism, and local governments to realize international regional flights with Scoot.
“Today, one by one, the future of tourism, as a driving force for economic growth and a provider of jobs, is being realized,” stated Daniel Alexander Napitupulu, Director of the Tanjung Kelayang Special Economic Zone Development and Management Agency (BUPP).
The return of international flights is not simply a landing; it marks the takeoff of Belitung’s economy onto the global stage. [traveltext.id]
