The bustling Indonesian city of Makassar — the gateway to eastern Indonesia — is now getting ready to welcome this year’s annual tourism show, “Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME 2006)”. The TIME 2006, known as “Pasar Wisata Indonesia’ 2006, organized by the Indonesian Tourism Board with support from the entire tourism industry, will be held at Clarion Hotel & Convention Center in Makassar, capital of Indonesia’s South Sulawesi Province, from Sept. 18 to 21 this year.
In a statement released on this occasion, Meity Robot, chairperson of TIME 2006 Steering Committee, said: “TIME brings top travel industry members from around the world to see first hand the enduring charm of our tropical country and the significant new investments made in the tourism sectors. Let’s show buyers and sellers that Indonesia remains one of the world’s great destinations even though its tourism sector has not yet fully recovered after experiencing various setbacks during the last four years due to global problems.”
More than 3000 invitations have been sent out to the prospective buyers and sellers to attend this tourism event, which is being organized every year for the last 12 years. Robot said “The shifting of venue of TIME every two years was very effective to promote every province in Indonesia to the international market, so that international holidaymakers will be attracted to travel to other provinces.”
“With more people coming, there will definitely be improvement in the infrastructure within the region,” she said, adding, “This will not only increase the development of the tourism related industry, but also the supporting industries.”
“As gateway to the East Indonesia region, Makassar possesses sound infrastructure and facilities required for hosting international events, such as TIME,” said Arif Suyoko, first secretary at the Indonesian Embassy. He said that Makassar had an international airport as well as world-class accommodation. At present, 15 domestic airlines fly to Makassar. Moreover, the event is receiving full support from the provincial governments as well as the private sector.
This includes the recent promotion of the TIME 2006 at ATF and ITB Berlin, said Arif, adding that TIME has been successful in projecting a positive image of Indonesia , which is a destination with much variety anywhere. As Indonesia ‘s prime travel show, TIME 2006 accommodates the interests of those who sell Indonesia’s tourism products and services to international markets. The event will feature most of Indonesia’s tourist attractions, which include all popular tourist destinations, top tourist facilities as well as new products.
Referring to Indonesia’s image in the global tourism market, Arif said that “TIME would showcase Indonesia.” Attendants of TIME will consist of buyers from overseas and Indonesian sellers from various travel and tourism sectors, including hotels, resorts, spas, airlines, National Tourism Offices (NTO), tour operators, travel agencies, cruise liner operators, golf operators, and many more. TIME is listed in the tourism international calendar of events, together with ITB Berlin, WTM London, and ATM Dubai.
“We are optimistic that Makassar will be able to entice more buyers and sellers to TIME this year since Makassar is the gateway to East Indonesia region which has many tourist attractions,” said Arif, adding that the TIME is being supported by the entire travel and tourism industry in Indonesia, including the Department of Culture and Tourism, South Sulawesi Provincial government, South Sulawesi Tourism Board, Garuda Indonesia as official carrier, Gulf Air as co-official carrier, as well as other international carriers operating to/from Indonesia.
“These international carriers include Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and INACA (Indonesia National Air Carriers Association), BARINDO (Board of Airline Representatives Indonesia), ASITA (Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies), PHRI (Indonesia Hotels & Restaurants Association), and Pacto Convex as event organizer,” said Arif, while releasing a brochure of TIME in Riyadh last week.
He said that the delegates to TIME would also have the opportunity to visit other parts of the country. “Indonesia’s archipelago of over 17,000 islands provides you with countless destinations to cater to the well-heeled, five-star tourist to the easy-going, backpacking traveler,” said Arif adding that Indonesia gives all buyers and sellers over 17,000 reasons why all should be at TIME 2006. After 12 successive staging, TIME 2006 aims at linking the two of you to bring the wonders of the Indonesian archipelago to the traveling world.
Referring to the Saudi participation in the TIME, he said that this is a great travel event, which would showcase world’s fastest-growing tourism area under one roof with qualify products aimed at every market. Many Saudi travel and tourism agents have been invited to attend the event. He said that TIME 2006 will be working closely with partners, trade associations, publications, and exhibitors to identify leading decision makers in each of key segment of the industry.
“Universally recognized as the leading travel industry event for Indonesia , TIME 2006 brings you many things in one package,” said Arif.
