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Boasting the iconic spectacular Lake Toba, the thrilling surf of Nias Island, and the array of business opportunities in Medan, North Sumatra is a province that promises unforgettable experiences for everyone. Today, you can easily reach the many destinations across the province now that more and more international airlines fly to North Sumatra’s capital city, Medan. The latest addition to these is Cathay Dragon, Hong Kong based international airline and subsidiary of Cathay Pacific that will launch its regular flights Hong Kong to Medan starting 30th October 2018.
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Served by Airbus A320 with 180 seats, the Hong Kong-Medan route will be operated 3 times weekly. Leaving Hong Kong Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, with return flights from Medan on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
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To welcome the inaugural flight from Hongkong, the Ministry of Tourism plans not one but two events to introduce not only the breathtaking attractions of North Sumatra but also the province’s and, indeed, Indonesia’s warm hospitality. The first event will be a Dinner on Sunday, 29th October 2018 with invitees all stakeholders related to the inaugural flight including the Governor of North Sumatra, Edy Rahmayadi, the Chief Executive Officer of Cathay Dragon and the Director Service Delivery of Cathay Pacific, Algernon Yau. The event aims to strengthen cooperation between North Sumatra and Cathay Dragon.
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The next day, at Kuala Namu International Airport, the Cathay Dragon plane will be welcomed with showers from water cannons. Then all passengers will warmly welcomed as they step down from the plane, and each given a Wonderful Indonesia souvenir. The same will be extended to passengers departing from Medan to Hong Kong the next day. To officially and symbolically open the route, a specifically Indonesian tradition of potong tumpengor cutting the tip of the yellow rice cone marks the opening of the Hong Kong- Medan route.
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“This is among commitments made by the Ministry of Tourism to boost international tourist arrivals to Indonesia, especially since Hong Kong forms part of the Greater China region which is one of our priority markets,” said Acting Deputy of Marketing Development I of the Ministry of Tourism, Ni Wayan Giri. She also expects that the new route will further boost tourism to North Sumatra, considering also since Medan is the main gateway to breathtaking Lake Toba, which is one of Indonesia’s top priority destinations. The launch of the new route to Medan by Cathay Dragon is expected to be followed by other international airlines.
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Over the years, North Sumatra has shown positive tourism growth. In 2015, some 229,288 international tourists visited North Sumatra. The number rose to 233,643 in 2016 and again in 2017 recording a total 261,736 international tourists. “We are optimistic that with the opening of this new flight route, the number of international tourists to North Sumatra will surge, especially with tourists from Hong Kong.” added Assistant Deputy of Marketing I Regional I, Iyung Masruroh.
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Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Tourism Minister Arief Yahya expressed his appreciation on the opening of the new route: “I am optimistic that international tourists arriving in Indonesia will significantly grow as more and more international airlines follow opening new routes to Indonesia that will contribute to the acceleration of Indonesia’s tourism development.” President Joko Widodo has designated Tourism as Indonesia’s Prime Economic Sector to boost the country’s economy, which include in its foreign currency income, its GDP and Jobs creation.
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