City eyes convention business

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will continue the aggressive promotion of tourism linked to the convention business, an official of the City Tourism Office says.

Fauzi Bowo, head of the office, told reporters over the weekend that the promotion is being conducted in line with the upward trend in convention organization.

Through the promotion, more foreign tourists are expected to take part in the mushrooming international exhibitions held in the city, he said.

Fauzi explained that the promotion for conventions and tourists is being carried out because a tourist participating in a convention spends an average of US$450 per day as compared to only US$200 spent daily by a casual tourist.

Meanwhile, Soekardjo Hardjosoewiryo of the Jakarta International Trade Fair Corporation, said that his office receives many inquiries from foreign companies wanting to join the corporation's exhibitions here.

Soekardjo, who is also chairman of the Asia Pacific Exhibition and Convention Council, said, "Many foreign businessmen are interested in exhibiting their products here."

He said that the annual Jakarta Fair, which will start on June 17, will be held at the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran, North Jakarta. (31)