Deputy governor opens Tourism Mart and Expo

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)