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)