"The tangible benefit can be predicted from last year data..."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has targeted to reach 20-30 percent transaction increase in the Internationale Tourismus-Borse (ITB) based on the 2012 participation that accumulated US 2.32 million dollars in transactions.

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry`s Director General of Tourism Marketing Esthy Reko Astuty said during a press conference here on Tuesday, that the target was based on the increase in the number of Indonesian tourism industries which will join the ITB 2013, namely 90 participants.

"Those 90 tourism industries will be off to Germany to take part in the international tourism exhibition in Germany from March 5 to 10, 2013. While, compared to the 2012 participation, we just brought 60 tourism industries last year and accumulated US 2.32 million dollars or Rp2.14 trillion transactions during the event. Hence our prediction in 2013 it could increase 20-30 percent," she said.

Astuty added the Indonesia Pavilion will be 410 meter square plus 66 meter square for the Indonesian spa wellness area where 90 tourism industries including tour operators, lodging (apartment, hotel and resort) and local provinces will participate in the event.

Indonesia who will set "Heart of Matters" as the main theme at the tourism pavilion in the ITB Berlin 2013, was announced as the ITB official partner country in 2012.

As the official partner country, it will receive several privileges, like the chance to host a courtesy opening gala dinner that will be sponsored by Accor Group, has a strategic booth location and advertisement placement, she explained.

Other than the transactional target during the event, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sapta Nirwandar said the naming of Indonesia as the official partner country of ITB Berlin 2013 has intangible investment.

"The tangible benefit can be predicted from last year data, meanwhile the intangible one is long term investment through the promotion," he said.

According to Nirwandar, the efforts to be accepted as the official partner country since 2011, will be paid off through the tourism promotion during the international-scale event in which Indonesia could expand its world wide market.

"Promotion is an effective long-term investment. We do hope the national tourism target with 8.6 million to 9 million visitors could be reached through this event," he said.
(Uu.A060/F001)

Reporter: A. Fitriyanti
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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