Angkasa Pura

Momentum of National Awakening Day, AP II Relives Archipelago Cultural Parade at Soekarno-Hatta Airport

AP II Airport becomes a tourism hub that displays artistic and cultural attractions in the country

Jakarta - After 2 years of being abolished due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Soekarno-Hatta Airport today, Friday, May 20, 2022, again presents the Nusantara Cultural Parade to promote Indonesian tourism.

The Nusantara Cultural Parade at Soekarno-Hatta Airport was first held in 2018, but was stopped in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic which requires us to reduce various activities in order to maintain health protocols.

Now in Quarter II/2022, the Nusantara Cultural Parade is back in line with the handling of the pandemic which is getting better and followed by relaxation of health protocols, including in the air transportation sector.

The Nusantara Cultural Parade which was held at Terminal 3 today featured cultural arts from 5 major islands of the archipelago, namely Bendana, Silat and Rebana dances from Lampung; Paris chain dance from South Kalimantan; Kirab Keraton and gamelan from Central Java; Tulude, Sangihe, Four Wayer Dance from North Sulawesi; and Yosim Pancar dance as well as tifa musical instruments from Papua.

These cultural performers from the archipelago display cultural arts by walking around Terminal 3 while greeting airplane passengers and airport visitors.

PT Angkasa Pura II President Director Muhammad Awaluddin said the return of the Nusantara Cultural Parade at Soekarno-Hatta Airport was an effort to support the recovery of the tourism sector which was depressed due to the pandemic.

"To coincide with National Awakening Day, May 20 2022 and in line with this year's Harkitnas theme, 'Let's Rise Together!', AP II again presents the Nusantara Cultural Parade at Soekarno-Hatta Airport and invites all air transportation stakeholders to support the revival of Indonesian tourism, "explained Muhammad Awaluddin at Terminal 3 during the Nusantara Cultural Parade.

"Soekarno-Hatta Airport as Indonesia's home page has a vital role in supporting national tourism. We make Soekarno-Hatta Airport not only a place to get on and off planes, but also as a tourism hub that promotes the wealth of tourism and culture in the country," said Muhammad Awaluddin.

Muhammad Awaluddin said that as a tourism hub, AP II airport will display various interesting cultural attractions for tourists.

"We hope that the pandemic situation can continue to improve and we can hold the Nusantara Cultural Parade on a regular basis. Together with InJourney Holding, which is a Tourism and Supporting BUMN Holding, we will make the airport an attractive tourism spot," explained Muhammad Awaluddin.

The implementation of the Archipelago Cultural Parade at Soekarno-Hatta Airport was also possible thanks to the cooperation with the local government and the Communication Forum for Liaising with All Indonesian Provinces (FORKAPPSI).

In the same place, Director of Human Resources and Digital InJourney Holding Herdy Rosadi Harman said the Nusantara Cultural Parade program was very appropriate to promote Indonesian tourism.

"We want to prioritize Indonesian hospitality and show the uniqueness of Indonesian tourism to airport service users. Airports must be able to present a strong atmosphere about Indonesia. AP II has pioneered this since 2018 and we must intensify it. I congratulate AP II," explained Herdy Rosadi Harman.

The implementation of the Nusantara Cultural Parade in Terminal 3 also received appreciation from tourists.

Anibal Bueno, a foreign tourist from Spain, said that Indonesia is a country rich in culture and activities like this should be intensified to introduce these cultures.

"It is very important to let people know the richness of culture in Indonesia, and at this airport we can see demonstrations that showcase the differences in ceremonies, music and cultures of the various islands in Indonesia," he said.

Meanwhile, Rohmatun, a Soekarno-Hatta Airport service user from Indramayu said that the Nusantara Cultural Parade was very entertaining while waiting for departure.

"Thanks to AP II, with this cultural art, I can be entertained waiting for departure and get to know Indonesian cultures," he said.

The excitement of tourism has also been felt at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, where during the Eid holiday period 20 April - 13 May 2022, Bali became the number one destination.

The movement of passengers from Soekarno-Hatta Airport to Bali in that period was recorded at the most where it reached around 570,000 people, followed by Kualanamu (Deli Serdang) about 514,000 people, then Surabaya around 385,000 people, Makassar around 342,000 people and Pontianak around 266,000 people.