RI to hold tourism fair to improve image after bombing

The second Indonesia Tourism and Travel Fair (ITTF) will be held from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4 to help improve the country's image following the recent bombings in Jakarta, a minister says.

Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik announced Tuesday the date of the fair at Nikko Hotel, Jakarta.

He said that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would officially inaugurate the fair.

ITTF organizing committee chairman Ben Sukma said the fair would also help the government reach its target of 6.5 million tourists this year.

"In the first half of this year, there were 2.97 million tourists visiting Indonesia, up 2.17 percent from last year," he said. "We expect more tourists in the second half of this year."

More than 300 participants are expected to take part in the fair.