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Indonesian firms net Rp 65.9b in potential transactions at travel expo
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Travex, the ASEAN Tourism Forum's travel trade fair held in Brunei Darussalam from Jan. 14 to 16, 30 exhibitors from Indonesia, such as tour operators, travel agents, hotel and resort operators, had business-to-business meetings with potential buyers from 43 countries, most of whom are tour operators and travel agents. (JP/Riza Roidila Mufti)
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ndonesian enterprises have recorded Rp 65.9 billion (US$4.7 million) in potential sales at Travel Exchange (Travex), a business-to-business exhibition in Brunei Darussalam, as Indonesia moves to boost the tourism sector’s contribution to the economy.
Around 30 Indonesian exhibitors—tour operators, travel agents, hotels and resorts—booked potential deals with international buyers from 43 countries at Travex, which runs from Jan. 14 to 16 as part of the 2020 ASEAN Tourism Forum.
At Travex, potential buyers flocked Indonesia’s booth, which was decorated in Javanese style and offered free Indonesian coffee, traditional food, herbal drinks and traditional massage.
One potential buyer is a Greek travel agency whose managers are keen to explore Indonesia outside of Bali. The firm’s tour operator planning manager, Panos Kouros, said that, since Bali remains a top destination in Indonesia, he is trying to combine Bali with other destinations nearby, such as Lombok, Flores or Manado.
“We also have people who are looking for cultural tourism in Java, such as to see Borobudur. A lot of us also visit [Komodo Island], which is very popular, and Sulawesi” said Kouros. Indonesia was a popular destination for Greek travelers, along with other ASEAN countries like Thailand, he added.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration is pushing efforts to boost tourism’s contribution to the economy. The government is investing in five super-priority tourist destinations to increase tourist arrivals outside Bali, namely Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Borobudur in Central Java, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara and Likupang in North Sulawesi.
