The famtrip program is the result of cooperation between the ministry and Bali provincial government, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno noted through his statement, Monday.
The program focuses on promoting Bali as a tourist destination that has drawn the interest of the Chinese market.
Through various strategic steps undertaken along with the ministry's partners to promote Indonesia, in general, and Bali, in particular, the ministry expects this program to be able to contribute to Indonesia's economic revival, he remarked.
The program is also expected to create jobs and open business opportunities as much as possible for Indonesia's tourism and creative economy sector, he remarked.
Related news: Bali administration proposes 20 more direct flights from China
Ministry's Deputy for Marketing Ni Made Ayu Marthini noted that the five journalists that participated in this famtrip came from The Paper (Shanghai), People's Daily, The Beijing News, Nanfang Daily, and Chengdu Economic Daily.
"It is not only designed to showcase Bali, but this famtrip also offers journalists to feel directly the tourism experience, so that they can better deliver information on Bali to their readers," she explained.
Tourists from China have been the main market focus for Indonesian tourism since 2017. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China became one of the countries that contributed the highest number of tourist arrivals to Indonesia.
During the period from 2017 to 2019, around two million tourists had visited Indonesia. The amount of spending from Chinese tourists was also the highest before the pandemic.
Data shows that on average, the length of stay of Chinese tourists in Indonesia ranges between eight to 10 days, with the average spending per visit reaching US$1,100-US$1,386.55, she noted.
This figure is equal to the amount spent by European tourists, who are known to be quite the spenders when they are travelling.
To attract more tourists from China, Marthini underlined the importance of expanding direct connectivity.
Famtrip's participants were invited to visit Uluwatu, Jimbaran, Bali Swing in Ubud, and Puri Saren Agung.
Related news: Xiamen-Bali flight has positive impact for Bali's tourism: Ministry
Translator: Sinta Ambarwati, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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