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Indonesia Government’s priority status to tourism since 2014 is yielding results in terms of arrivals, and earnings. The world’s biggest archipelago of 17200 islands registered fastest tourist growth of 22 percent in 2017 with 14.04 million arrivals. .

Prof. Dr I Gde Pitana, Deputy Minister for International Marketing, Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia, said: “Tourism is of highest priority along with food and fishing industries. We realise that the potential is very huge. Bali has been our main destination and Ministry of Tourism is trying to develop tourism beyond Bali.” He was speaking at the inaugural Tourism Seminar at Bali & Beyond Tourism Fair (BBTF) 2018, Indonesia’s biggest tourism market place.

The fifth annual event had doubled number of delegates with 320 buyers from 41 countries interacting with 242 exhibitors from 6 countries and 139 (36 international) media attending the event.

I Ketut Ardana, SH, Chairman, Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali Chapter, the organiser of BBTF, said: “The event is growing by the year and this year’s ‘Colours of Indonesia’ theme depicts variety and vibrancy of Indonesian culture, nature, cuisine, lifestyle and heritage.” Participation by home stay and village tourism sellers from 9 provinces of Bali added to the attractions of BBTF this year.

Speakers at BBTF2018 Inaugural Tourism Seminar

A late starter in tapping its potential, Indonesia is making all efforts to catch-up with its tourist popular neighbours. 10 new destinations are identified among 88 shortlisted from 324 recognised destinations. Four among these – Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Borobudur Temple in Jogjakarta, Mandalika in Lombok and Komodo Labuan Bajo NTT are in current focus for infrastructure development and will be ready by end 2019.

A poster welcoming tourists at Bali Airport

Dr Pitana said: “Ministry of tourism has strong influence to impress all other ministries, including transport ministry to develop necessary tourist infrastructure. We’re also shifting our marketing strategy to match market recognition and our timing of promotion. We’re also adopting digital technology.”

Colourful traditions of Bali

China, Australia and India are the county’s biggest markets. Indonesia has made visa free to visitors from 169 countries. Dr Pitana said: “This has resulted in 21 percent increase in our arrivals at 5 ports.” The country is targeting 17 million tourist arrivals this year with 223 million Rupiah($16.64bn) and aims to be among top 30 (a jump of 12 positions) tourist destinations of the world by 2019.

Written by Anand & Madhura Katti