"This is a new way of promoting the tourism sector that is positioning itself as the backbone of the West Java economy today. West Java is targeting 40 million tourist visits this year," West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said after the inauguration of the 108 tourism ambassadors in Bandung on Tuesday.
Tourism promotion can no longer be based on old practices, such as the installation of massive billboards, Kamil explained. "Today's promotion pattern is different," he noted.
Instead, tourism promotion through the digital world is the current option considering people's focus on social media, he said.
"Because we are currently living in the digital era, (so) digital marketing is an option. In digital marketing, we do not rent large offices but use citizen journalism," Kamil added.
The Governor expressed the hope that digital promotion of tourism would serve as a guideline as well as provide information on new attractions that are not widely known.
"These 108 tourism ambassadors will show up on the devices of tourists who come to West Java so that it increases tourism visits, where we are not too focused on foreign tourists," he said, noting that the province is focusing on attracting regional tourists.
Meanwhile, head of the West Java Tourism and Cultural Office, Benny Bachtiar, said that the content creators will get an honorarium and money for transportation.
Travel promotion through content creators is relatively cheaper and its effectiveness is measurable, he added.
"This is much cheaper when compared to conventional promotions because we only provide honors and transport money. Their followers are huge, and they love their job," he remarked.
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Translator: Ajat S, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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