Indonesia`s Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sapta Nirwandar said during a press conference at Grand Mercure Hotel in Jakarta on Tuesday that Indonesia had lobbied the ITB Official Committee since 2011.
"Indonesia has been participating on the ITB event since 1967 and during the ITB Berlin 2011 when we proposed as the official partner country for the first time, Indonesia was offered to be an official partner country in the ITB 2017 or 2018. But, we thought it would be too long to promote our potential tourism sector," he said.
Thus, Indonesia was invited the ITB committee to ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Manado, North Sulawesi in January 2012 to show them the potential of Indonesia tourism in the frame of "Wonderful Indonesia" tagline, he explained.
"Thank God, they realized our uniqueness and high potential tourism sector as a recognition to be accepted as the official partner country of ITB Berlin 2013," he said.
Nirwandar added Indonesia was competing with other 180 countries to hold the chance as the official country partner that was achieved by Egypt in 2012 and by Poland in 2011.
Indonesia will take the chance optimally to promote domestic tourism to the world since the ITB Berlin is not only participated by European countries but also world wide, through many events like batik fashion show, culinary festival and dances performances.
"Promotion is an effective long-term investment. We do hope the national tourism target with 8.6 million to 9 million visitors, one of which can be reached through this event," he said.
Among the benefit as the official country partner, Indonesia will have privileges of having a strategic location to set the booth which is 410 meter square plus 66 meter square for the Indonesian spa wellness area, main view promotion billboard and other advertisements.
"We also have the courtesy event during the opening ceremony where President Yudhoyono and German Counselor Angela Merkel have been confirmed to attend," said Nirwandar.
During the opening ceremony, Accor Group as the main sponsor of Indonesia as the official partner country of ITB Berlin 2013, will hold a gala dinner as well as an cultural event to promote tourism in Indonesia to the 4,000 world wide guests.
Nirwandar added Indonesia has chosen "Heart Matters" as the main theme of the country`s pavilion where 90 tourism industries including the tour operator, lodging (apartment, hotel and resort) and local province will participate during the event.
(A060/f001)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
