RI firms join Prague fair

RI firms join Prague fair

JAKARTA (JP): Six Indonesian companies took part in a tourism
fair called Madi Travel Trade Market, held in Prague, Czech
Republic, from Nov. 10 to Nov. 12, the Indonesian Embassy in
Prague said on Wednesday.

The head of the embassy's economic department, Wisnu E.
Pratigno, was quoted by Antara news agency as saying that five
out of the six Indonesian participants secured contracts from
foreign buyers at the fair, which was attended by 500 travel
agencies from Europe, Africa and Asia.

He said that Czechs were becoming very fond of traveling
overseas due to their rising living standards. Tourists arrivals
from the Czech Republic to Indonesia totaled 2,000 in the
January/November period this year, up from 800 last year.

"But Indonesian tourism companies are still reluctant to
attract Czech tourists because they consider that ex-communist
countries are not a potential market," he said.

Wisnu added that several Czech participants suggested the
embassy cooperate with state flag carrier Garuda Indonesia in
holding a tour for Czech travel agents to broaden their knowledge
of Indonesia's tourism potential. (gis)