RI to hold tourism fair

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board in cooperation with the country's tourist industry will hold the annual Pasar Wisata Indonesia Tourism Mart & Expo 1999, in Jakarta next month to attract tourists back to Indonesia.

Chairperson of the organizing committee, Meity Robot, said the event aims to win back foreign tourists' interest in the country after the damage caused by the recent political turmoils.

"The event is expected to provide opportunities for local travel agents to open up new markets, especially in Eastern Europe and the Middle East," she said.

She said that over 110 groups of buyers, representing 98 travel agents, from 25 countries had confirmed their participation in the event.

Around 15 percent of the buyer groups, including those from Eastern European countries were new participants, she said.

She added that 129 tourist and travel agencies from 17 provinces would promote their services in the event.

Pasar Wisata Indonesia Tourism Mart & Expo 1999 will feature among other things, a half-day seminar and will provide chances for buyers and sellers to meet.

The event will be held from Sept. 21 to Sept. 25 at the Jakarta Convention Center in Senayan, Jakarta. (cst)