Indonesia highlights West Nusa Tenggara at 2018 ITB Asia

Indonesia is currently participating in the 2018 ITB Asia trade show, which runs from Wednesday through Friday in Singapore, in a bid to promote the archipelago's tourist destinations, particularly West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

A view of Kuta Beach in the Mandalika tourist area of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. (Shutterstock/File)

With the theme Rising Lombok as part of the Wonderful Indonesia campaign, Indonesia seeks to improve the image of NTB tourism following the powerful earthquakes that devastated the region in July and August. Among the areas promoted at the event are Mandalika (Kuta Beach, Tanjung Aan and Merese Hill), Sekotong (Gili Nangu, Gili Sudak, Gili Kedis), Tete Batu and Mataram city.

At the 11^th ITB Asia, the country is showcasing a phinisi-influenced 405-square-meter pavilion that features 91 tourism businesses representing 15 provinces, including Bangka Belitung, Riau Islands, South Sumatra, Lampung, Jakarta, West Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, West Kalimantan, NTB, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), North Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Papua and Bali.

"This event brings together Indonesian sellers with approximately 1,265 international buyers. There are also thousands of delegates and visitors from other countries, not only from the Asian region but all over the world," the Tourism Ministry's region I assistant deputy marketing, Masruroh, said in a statement.
Additionally, Indonesia is also participating in the halal destination-related Muslim Travel Pavilion at ITB Asia as part of Rising Lombok campaign.
In the statement, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said the event served as an opportunity to attract more tourists to Indonesia, especially since Singapore was one of the archipelago's main tourism market.
"Through this event, Indonesia’s tourism businesses could expand their networking with potential buyers from abroad," Arief added.
It is estimated that more than 1.5 million Singaporean tourists visited Indonesia throughout 2017. Meanwhile, between January and August this year, 1.08 million Singaporeans arrived, or an 11.24 percent increase from the same period last year.
This year, the ministry is targeting to attract 1.67 million Singaporean visitors to Indonesia. (JakartaPost)