Tourism Ministry to Promote Indonesian Diving Spots in China
Jakarta. The Ministry of Tourism is continuing its efforts to increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting Indonesia, with a promotion featuring scuba diving destinations in the archipelago set to take place in three cities in China this month.
The campaigns, which will be held in Beijing, Chongqing and Guangzhou between July 25 and 28, show the importance of the Chinese market for Indonesian tourism.
"The Chinese market is important, as it is one of the focus markets for tourism and it makes a significant contribution to tourist visits in Indonesia. Why diving? Because Chinese tourists have recently started to show a preference for maritime tourism destinations," I Gde Pitana, deputy for foreign market development at the Tourism Ministry, said in Jakarta on Monday (10/07).
China Sales Mission Diving 2017 is a business-to-business promotional event to increase product knowledge and introduce diving tourism packages to the Chinese market.
The campaign will include media interviews, press conferences, diving tourism updates, music shows, the handing out of souvenirs and door prizes, as well as information on Indonesian tourism.
"The sales mission will meet seven Indonesian sellers, such as scuba diving, resort and cruise operators. They will also invite clients from China in cooperation with diving industry partners there," Pitana said.
As part of the so-called Coral Triangle Area, Indonesia has a rich and varied underwater ecosystem, which is perfect for diving activities.
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said efforts to promote Indonesia's maritime tourism are on track, since diving has become a new global trend.
Maritime tourism is divided into three areas: coastal, underwater and above water, or the sailing zone.
"Not only the Chinese market, but also Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea have shown interest in underwater tourism," Arief said.
The minister said Indonesia has at least 10 leading marine tourism destinations, especially for diving. They are Bali, Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara), Labuan Bajo and Alor (East Nusa Tenggara), Derawan (East Kalimantan), Bunaken (North Sulawesi), Togean (Central Sulawesi), Wakatobi (South Sulawesi), Ambon (Maluku) and Raja Ampat (West Papua).
Tags: Keywords: