Jakarta Fair surpasses targets, closes to fanfare

Leony Aurora , Jakarta

The 2004 Jakarta Fair in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, ended with smiles on organizers' faces, as 2.25 million visitors showed up and more than Rp 300 billion (US$ 33.4 million) in transactions were completed, far surpassing the targets.

PT Jakarta International Expo project director Ralph R. Scheunemann said that, as of Sunday afternoon, the last day of the fair, 210,000 people had bought tickets.

"We predict 40,000 more people will enter the fairground, as we are open until midnight today," he said on Sunday evening.

First-time organizer PT Jakarta International Expo had aimed to attract 2.2 million visitors and generate Rp 250 billion in transactions.

Despite the reduced number of exhibitors taking part this year -- only 800 participants compared with last year's 1,186 -- the fair proved to be more successful in terms of visitors and transactions.

In 2003, about 1.7 million people visited the fair organized by PT Jakarta International Trade Fair and some Rp 208 billion changed hands.

Scheunemann said that the organizer was already planning new attractions for next year, but declined to provide details.

However, Hartati Murdaya, the president director of PT Central Citra Murdaya, the new owner of the Jakarta Fairground, has promised to utilize the 1,000 square meter hall D as additional space for the 2005 fair.

The Jakarta Fair is held annually as part of the commemoration of the city's anniversary on June 22. Small, medium-sized and large enterprises open stalls there, offering products ranging from electronics, furniture, clothes and cosmetics to computer hardware.

However, as the fair usually coincides with school holidays, many people see it more as a place of entertainment than a trade center.

Robby, a visitor who arrived with his family, said that he went to the fair every year to give his children a day out.

"I didn't see any difference compared with previous years. It was pretty much the same," he said.

Even though the fair features special attractions, which this year include the Pavilion and Negeri Dongeng (Fairyland), Robby stayed in the children's playground. "It's too expensive to go to the other attractions," he said.

The Pavilion gave visitors a peek at China, with the Suzhou lantern festivals and performances of the Shaolin Kung Fu. The entry fee per visitor for these shows was Rp 10,000 and Rp 8,000, respectively.

Negeri Dongeng aimed to provide children with educational fun, including competitions, creative workshops and art exhibitions.

The one-month-long fair was officially opened on June 17 by President Megawati Soekarnoputri. Governor Sutiyoso was scheduled to attend the closing ceremony at 11 p.m. and witness fireworks with thousands of other Jakartans at 12 midnight sharp.

Pop stars Audy and Ari Lasso closed a string of shows on Sunday. A total of 100 music groups and solo artists, playing all types of music from rock to dangdut, had entertained visitors every Wednesday night to Sunday night.

The annual Jakarta Fair was held for the first time in 1968 at the National Monument park, Central Jakarta. Since 1991, the event has been held at the Jakarta Fairground.