Indonesia's airline to serve direct flights from Manado to Chinese cities

An Indonesian airline, Lion Air Group, is scheduled to commence direct flights linking Manado, capital of Indonesia's North Sulawesi province, to eight major Chinese cities and regions in early July.

Director of Lion Air China William Wu said on Tuesday that the direct flights would officially start on July 3. Among the Chinese cities and regions served by Lion Air's upcoming direct flights were Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Macao, Wuhan, Chengdu and Chongqing.

The direct flights are expected to boost the number of Chinese tourists visiting Indonesia's North Sulawesi province, which was known for its beautiful natural sceneries.

Wu said Manado and its surrounding areas have very attractive tour destinations that Chinese tourists long for.

Indonesia's Tourism Minister Arif Yahya praised Lion Air's plan, saying that it would further help the nation in accomplishing its foreign tourist attraction target this year.

Welcoming the direct flights, North Sulawesi Governor Olly Dondokambey said his administration would update infrastructure in the province to facilitate the Chinese tourists.

"Roads, piers and facilities in tour destinations would be improved and more tour guides and other supporting functions, including chefs, would be provided to serve the Chinese tourists. We will be a good host for our guests from China," he said. Endit