The Indonesian government plans to open a direct flight from Thailand to Yogyakarta to facilitate Buddhist worship on the Borobudur Temple. Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Kartika Wirjoatmodjo made the announcement during a Bhikkhu Thudong reception en path to Borobudur for Vesak 2024 at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII).
She also expressed hope that direct flights from Thailand to Yogyakarta would make it easier for Buddhists from Thailand and other ASEAN regions to go to the Borobudur Temple.
Also read: Countdown to Vesak 2024, Monks Set Off on Thudong from TMII to Borobudur Temple
Meanwhile, the plan to open a direct flight connection Thailand – Yogyakarta via Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) is to be implemented inside three months, and specifically in August 2024.
In this regard, Maya Watono, Director of Marketing and Tourism Programs at PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (InJourney), stated that cooperation has been established with 30 travel agencies from Thailand to facilitate pilgrimage tourism to Borobudur Temple.
She added that the initiative will start with charter flights from Thailand to Yogyakarta from Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) in Kulonprogo. These flights are expected to start out inside the subsequent three months.
At least 1.2 million tourists are expected to go to Borobudur Temple annually due to charter flights.
Maya said the Vesak celebrations might be a busy time as a result of the arrival of many tourists on the Borobudur temple. Although domestic tourists dominate, she estimates that there’ll still be foreign visitors from Thailand, Vietnam, China and South Korea.
