Tourism expo to open in April

JAKARTA (JP): An international tourism and investment fair will be held in the Jakarta Fairground from April 25 to April 28 in a bid to lure foreign investors to enter the country's tourism industry.

Wahyu Supriyadi, president of the event organizer PT Proxindo Surya Pratama said here on Friday that the fair would feature tourist resorts and the potential of developing new tourist sites in the country.

Some 40 sellers and 400 buyers from Indonesia and abroad have confirmed to participate in the event, Wahyu said.

At least 17 regency administrations, travel agencies, hotels, and airlines will be among the sellers during the four-day exhibition, he added.

India and Malaysia will also participate as sellers, he said, adding that more countries are expected to follow suit as the application period will remain open until next month.

A number of cultural shows, a kite festival and tourism seminars would be also held during the exhibition.

The event is supported by Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (BPPI), the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Association of Indonesian Travel Agencies (ASITA), Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), and Merpati Airlines. (05)