Beijing (ANTARA News) - Ten Indonesian tourism companies are taking part in the 8th China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market 2012 in Beijing, during April 18-20, as part of efforts to attract more Chinese tourists to Indonesia.

Among the 10 tourism companies are Komaneka, Bali Hai Cruise, Bali Hai Diving Adventures, Tauzia Hotel, PT Pandu Wisata, and PT Pro Bali Tour and Travel.

"China is one of the potential markets for the Indonesian tourism industry, thanks to the robust economic growth in the world`s most populous country in the past 10 years," said Jordi Paliama, head of the Asian region promotion sub-directorate at the Indonesian ministry of tourism and creative economy, here on Wednesday.

"Additionally, Indonesia and China have longstanding historical ties that may strengthen tourism cooperation between the two nations. We are also cooperating with Chinese society in Indonesia in increasing the number of Chinese tourist arrivals in Indonesia," he stated.

Jordi noted that more Chinese tourists visited Indonesia in recent years.

Citing an example, he said 136,856 Chinese tourists visited Indonesia during the first two months of 2012, compared with 88,784 in the same period last year.

The number put China in third place after Singapore and Malaysia, which had 173,997 and 159,734 tourists, respectively, he added.

To attract more Chinese tourists, the Indonesian ministry of tourism and creative economy has conducted a number of promotional activities in China, including the International Travel Fair in Guangzhou, China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market in Beijing, World Travel Fair di Shanghai, Diving Resort and Travel in Hong Kong, CITE in Guangdong, China International Travel Mart, Sales Mission China, and Festival Indonesia in Asia.

The 8th China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market 2012 brings together 275 companies from 60 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, the United States, Egypt, France, and Turkey.

At the expo, the Indonesian companies present eco-cultural tourism and "NICHE" themes, such as golf, spa, diving, trekking, cooking, adventure, and shopping.
(T.R018/S012/INE/KR-BSR/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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