Indonesia to Promote Diving Destinations at Australia Dive Expo
Jakarta. The Ministry of Tourism will promote various Indonesian underwater destinations, including world-famous Raja Ampat and Labuan Bajo, at the Australia Dive Expo in Sydney on Aug. 3-7.
"We will take 10 dive operators to offer diving packages in several regions in Indonesia, including in Sabang, Aceh; Banten; Bali; North Sulawesi; East Nusa Tenggara and West Papua," I Gde Pitana, deputy for foreign tourism marketing development at the Tourism Ministry, said in a statement on Wednesday (02/08).
He added that the operators will present various diving packages to dozens of buyers from various diving associations and communities, travel agents and dive tour operators, as well as the Australian media.
"We have more than 55 destinations and over 1,500 dive spots from Weh Island in Aceh to Cendrawasih Bay in Papua, as the total number exceeds those in any country in the world," Pitana said.
As the country with the longest coastline in the world, he said, Indonesia has roughly more than 51,000 square kilometers of coral reefs, or 18 percent of the total coral reefs in the world.
Vinsensius Jemadu, assistant deputy for the Asia-Pacific market at the ministry, meanwhile said the Indonesian pavilion will also showcase phinisi, the famous traditional vessels made by the people of South Sulawesi.
"This is the sexiest [tourism] icon and the best spot for selfies, as it will attract visitors," he said.
The pavilion will also offer product knowledge on new diving spots in Indonesia, art performances from Bali and traditional Indonesian coffee and cuisine.
"We will go all out to introduce our maritime tourism potential, especially diving, which is categorized as a niche market," he said.
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya lauded efforts to promote Indonesia's maritime tourism on a global scale.
Tags: Keywords: