Deputy governor opens Tourism Mart and Expo

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's fourth Tourism Mart and Expo officially began yesterday, bringing together about 375 local sellers and about 215 foreign buyers.

Jakarta's deputy governor of economy and development Tubagus M. Rais, representing Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, officiated the opening ceremony.

"This event emphasizes the important role and easy accessibility that Jakarta enjoys as a world-class tourist destination," Rais said.

Minister of Information Hartono, who later opened the exhibition, stressed the importance of preserving and fostering nature and culture.

"Many of us, because of our daily routines and problems, tend to forget the blessing (of nature and culture) that God Almighty has bestowed upon us," he said.

"It is the tourists, the visitors and people like yourselves, who come and admire this country and enjoy the friendliness of our people, who make us really aware of how much is given to us," he added.

Sellers and buyers at the mart, tourism executives, and foreign and local media representatives joined the minister and the deputy governor at the opening ceremony at the Jakarta Convention Center.

Traditional dance and musical performances from Betawi (indigenous Jakartans) livened the ceremony. A brief campaign video promoting Jakarta as a tourist destination was presented to highlight the city's attractions.

The Founder and Director of Zero Emission Research and Initiatives, Gunter Pauli, delivered a powerful speech on the importance of exploring all aspects of the industry using sustainable resources to spur tourism growth.

About 375 sellers from 21 provinces in the country and 247 buyers from 33 countries are participating in the six-day event, expected to attract 50,000 visitors.

The sellers have set up 187 booths at the exhibition center and each company expects to generate at least US$300,000 in transactions.

Sellers range from tour, hotel and airline operators to handicraft sellers.

They are allowed to set as many as 25 appointments with prospective buyers for three days during the event. Each appointment lasts 15 minutes.

I Putu Indiawan, representing Hotel Senggigi Aerowisata Lombok, said his hotel had set up 25 appointments for the next two days.

He said three of the appointments were with Indonesian buyers and the rest with foreign buyers, mostly European, Putu said. (das)