Indonesia to hold tourism sales mission in southern Chinese cities

Local residents and a buffalo in Lake Toba, Indonesia. /VCG Photo

The Indonesian tourism ministry is planning to hold a sales mission to tap into the market potential of southern Chinese cities, an official at the ministry said on Tuesday.

Besides showcasing a variety of Indonesian traditional and cultural performances, the sales mission program slated from May 7 to 9 in Zhuhai and Meizhou would sell tour packages of Bali and the nation's 10 new destinations, namely Tanjung Kelayang, Tanjung Lesung, Thousands Island, Lake Toba, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru volcanoes, Labuan Bajo, Morotai, Borobudur Temple, Wakatobi and Batam-Bintan.

"Focus of the upcoming sales mission is to further promote Indonesia's 10 new destinations. We expect to get optimal package sales so as to significantly contribute to the nation's targets on China tourism market," Assistant Deputy Minister Great China Marketing Development Vincensius Jemadu said.

Indonesia expects to gain a significant slice of China's enormous outbound market to plug its foreign tourist arrival target set at 20 million this year.

The number of Chinese tourists traveling to Indonesia reached 2.13 million in 2018, marking a 2.71 percent increase compared to the previous year. 

Apart from an active sales mission and tourism promotion programs held in China, Indonesia also uses Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand as hubs to maximize arrivals of Chinese tourists in the country.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a water temple on Bali, Indonesia. /VCG Photo

Establishing cooperation with local tour agents, Indonesia expects to get Chinese tourists wishing to continue their vacations to Indonesian destinations from those three neighboring countries in the region.

Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand recorded tremendous numbers of Chinese tourists last year. Statistics agencies in the respective countries noted that Singapore received 3.18 million tourists, Malaysia 2.2 million and Thailand 8.9 million throughout last year. (CGTN)