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fforts are under way on the part of the regional government and tourism players to develop East Java as one of Indonesia's most important tourist destinations after Bali, even though the East Java southern road network and 11 new toll roads will not be built until 2010.

Concerted efforts on the part of the regional government and travel agents, hoteliers and tourism practitioners associations are under way to promote East Java tourism on a national as well as international level, as well as building the facilities necessary to support tourism.

Rahmat Dwiyanto, head of the development of tourism at Pacitan's Culture and Tourism Office, explained that the government was developing the so-called golden triangle of tourist destinations, the beaches of Teleng Ria, Tamperan and Pancer as well as Banyu Anget bathing pool in Pacitan. These locations combine nature tourism with shopping for fresh sea catches.

"We are not willing to just sit idly by and wait for the southern road network access road in Pacitan to be finished. We are preparing other supporting facilities in view of the fact that Pacitan has an abundance of beach and fishing tourist destinations," he told The Jakarta Post recently.

Rahmat said that the concept of the golden triangle meant that the government wished to have visitors and tourists visit not just one tourist destination but several at a time.

Thus, they would not only go to Teleng Ria Beach but also to Tamperan and Pancer beaches as well. Afterwards, the tourists would refresh themselves at the Arjosari warm water bathing pool, which is a 20-minute drive from the city.

"We will start spreading the word about our tourism potential in June with a National Culture Camp at Pancer Beach at which will have 800 participants from various areas in Indonesia," he said.

Rahmat said that the government was also developing other tourist destinations such as Klayar, Srau, Taman and Tawang (Ngadirojo), the area of the steam-powered electrical power plant in Sudimoro, Gong Cave, Tabuhan and others.

Besides Pacitan, the local government is also building fishermen's harbors, such as in Pondokdadap in Malang regency, Tamperan in Pacitan regency, Puger in Jember regency, Popoh Fisherman's Harbor in Tulungagung regency, Muncar and Pancer in Banyuwangi regency and the Prigi National Fishermen's Harbor in Trenggalek regency.

This will serve a dual purpose of increasing fish production in East Java and developing the harbors to become tourist destinations for buying fresh seafood.

Djoni Irianto, head of the Culture and Tourism Office of East Java, said that the government had been holding an annual event called the Majapahit Travel Fair (MTF) in order to further promote tourism in East Java.

"We hope that holding such an event will encourage more tourists and visitors to come to East Java and in doing so they will be contributing at least 15 percent of the total gross domestic product of East Java for 2009," he said.

Through an event such as the MTF, Djoni expected that there would be an increase of 5 to 10 percent of international tourists compared to the number of visitors in 2008, which totaled 156,728 people. The forecast for 2009 is 172,400.

An increase in international/overseas tourists, said Djoni, would lead to a larger contribution on the part of the business, hotel and restaurant sectors totaling Rp 46.76 trillion in 2009 out of East Java's total 2009 gross domestic product.

Based on Central Statistics Agency data, the East Java gross domestic product index from January to March 2009 totaled Rp 166.36 trillion. This was an increase of 2.09 percent from the earlier October to December 2008 total, which came to only Rp 162.95 trillion.

During the 10th MTF that took place at the Surabaya Gramedia Expo from May 22 through 26, 2009 with the theme "Partnering for Creative Industry," 62 representatives of tourism, culture and handicraft industries from East Java as well as other provinces participated.

MTF also invited 61 buyers, 50 of whom were from Malaysia, Singapore, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Djoni explained that the foreign buyers were expected to conduct business transactions through cooperation with the exhibition's participants, and to become acquainted with the tourism potential of each region in East Java. Transactions at the 10th MTF were expected to total Rp 17.7 billion, an increase from 2008's Rp 16.9 billion.

"We treat the foreign buyers as kings while they are here. They get to dine with senior government officials in Surabaya and East Java, and are taken on tours to see the sights in Surabaya, Prigen Safari Park, the La Gross textile tourist destination, the Wonosari Gardens, Dayu Golf Park and visit a number of hotels in Surabaya," he said.

Yusak Ansori, executive director of the Surabaya Tourism Promotion Board, said his offices had been working with several travel agents in Europe and Asia to open up and promote programs for tourism in East Java.

"It is true that Europeans know more about Bali than East Java. That's why we are trying to convince the travel agents to bring tourists to East Java first before taking them on to Bali," he said.

He went on to say that part of their promoting East Java on the international scene included setting up creative programs, such as the Surabaya Shopping Festival, to encourage the perception that Surabaya is a great place for shopping.

Sunarto, the head of the East Java branch of the Indonesian Tourism Practitioners' Association, said that 425 guides in East Java were being trained in foreign languages and knowledge of culture and potential in East Java.

"At this time, out of 425 guides, 175 of them are able to communicate not only in English but also in German, Dutch, French and Mandarin," he said.

Prima Soemarso, marketing manager of Hotel Bumi Surabaya, said a number of creative activities were being planned as part of a promotion to increase room occupancy and tourism in East Java, as well as improving hotel services.

"We will hold a Pasar Malam (Night Market) in the lobby of the hotel's garden area on May 31, until July 31, from 6 to 10 pm. Hotel guests can enjoy traditional foods at lower prices than those at other Surabaya restaurants," she said.

Etty Soraya, marketing manager of Sheraton Hotel Surabaya, said that as part of the services for guests, the hotel offered special discounts and shopping vouchers for Tunjungan Plaza Surabaya.