RI regains ICCA membership

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has regained its membership in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) after paying 4,212 euros (Rp 37.9 million) in levy arrears, Antara reported on Thursday.

The news agency quoted the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as saying that the government was committed in developing the entire spectrum of the tourist industry, including the rapidly growing meeting, incentive, convention, and exhibition (MICE) sector.

It was not immediately clear whether Indonesia's membership was suspended, or it had left the organization during the height of the economic crisis in 1997.

The ministry said the ICCA membership is strategic for Indonesia to promote its own MICE sector.

The MICE industry, already widely developed in Singapore and Malaysia, is beneficial to the tourist industry because it also promotes hotels, tours, and shopping. (05)