RRI.CO.ID, Banyuwangi - The Banyuwangi Regency Administration in East Java has partnered with state-owned aviation and tourism holding PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero), or InJourney, to elevate Banyuwangi into an international-grade tourist destination by enhancing event promotion, destination marketing, and air connectivity.

Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani met with InJourney President Director Maya Watono and Angkasa Pura President Director Mohammad Rizal Pahlevi at the Banyuwangi Regency Pavilion on Sunday, August 2, 2026. The strategic partnership focuses on joint event management and refining transport infrastructure. A key initiative includes scaling up the upcoming Gandrung Sewu Festival in October 2026 as a major international attraction.

To support increased visitor numbers, Angkasa Pura is exploring plans to expand flight frequencies to Banyuwangi Airport. Airport management noted that expanding air access requires integrated routing with other regional tourist hubs to maintain high passenger load factors and ensure sustainable operations.

Regional leaders and state-owned enterprise executives highlighted that combining authentic local heritage with robust state infrastructure will drive regional economic growth and bolster international competitiveness.

Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani welcomed the partnership as a vital asset for the region's tourism development. "We have met with the board of directors of InJourney, who expressed their commitment to supporting Banyuwangi tourism, this will serve as an essential asset to make Banyuwangi tourism increasingly competitive at both national and international levels," she said in Banyuwangi on Sunday, August 2, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

InJourney President Director Maya Watono emphasized Banyuwangi’s rich natural and cultural assets as a primary foundation for future economic expansion.

"Banyuwangi possesses extraordinary potential, its nature is beautiful, its culture is strong, its cuisine is appealing, and its coffee is outstanding, most importantly, the local team is highly creative. I see tourism acting as an engine of future economic growth for Banyuwangi," Maya Watono explained.

Maya added that InJourney will work closely with local authorities to construct a comprehensive development plan. "We will co-design a strategic roadmap to increase foreign tourist arrivals while encouraging an even distribution of domestic tourist movement into Banyuwangi," Maya noted.

Angkasa Pura President Director Mohammad Rizal Pahlevi stressed the critical role of transport integration in sustaining tourist flow.

"We see potential for increasing flight frequencies to Banyuwangi, however, its development must be designed comprehensively, for example, by integrating Banyuwangi routes with other tourist destinations so that passenger occupancy rates remain well-maintained," Rizal Pahlevi remarked. ***