14 April 2009 - Indonesia is very serious about focusing on the Australia – New Zealand markets as two of the most respected market source for Indonesia. This is proven by the 24-delegation attending the Sales Mission Bali and Beyond, led by Director for International Promotion of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. IG Pitana and the Director for Market Development of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Syamsul Lussa. The Sales Mission will run for two weeks from 12^th until 24^th of April 2009, visiting five cities namely Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Wellington and Auckland. Australia – New Zealand are the main markets for Indonesia for the past few decades. Director for International Promotion of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. IG Pitana confirms that,”Australia – New Zealand are important markets of Indonesia and the number of arrivals from these market increase year after year. One of the drives for this continuous arrival increase is the matching products provided by Indonesia that sustains the attraction for the tourists to visit Indonesia .” Furthermore Director Pitana also states that in addition to the conventional products available in Indonesia , the creative new products such as Spa, Ecotourism, Marine Tourism and MICE are part of the increasing attractiveness of the destination for the visitors. As a proof that Indonesia is serious to creatively come up with new innovations in tourism products, this year Bali is awarded as the Best Spa Destination in the World 2009 by a wellness magazine “Senses”. With the great combination between conventional and new creative products, Indonesia is more than ready to receive visitors from Australia and New Zealand. Indonesia is also a paradise for visitors from the two countries due to the more affordability of goods as an impact of the weaker Rupiah exchange rate. This makes Indonesia a “value for money” destination for the tourists. One very exciting news is that eventhough the world is now experiencing the financial crisis, the number of visitor arrivals from the two countries in the first quarter of 2009 is still promising, notching second rank after Japan. Another exciting news is the additional direct flights by Virgin Blue starting June 2009, serving Melbourne-Denpasar twice a week, Sydney-Denpasar twice a week, Brisbane-Denpasar five times a week, Adelaide-Denpasar three times a week, Perth-Denpasar daily. This is in addition to the well-packed Jetstar Brisbane-Darwin-Denpasar since December 2008. The Visit Indonesia Year programme 2008 has successfully reached a total tourism arrival of 6.4 million which is equivalent to an increase of 12% when compared to 2007. The devisa earned US$ 7.6 billion.  This positive phenomenon is kept going for this year. In 2009, the Visit Indonesia Year takes the theme of “Marine and MICE Tourism”. Encouraged, more products will be launched into the market as a result of partnerships and cooperations between the government and private sectors.  When asked about security, Director Pitana states that,”Today the security in Indonesia is very conducive. The system has greatly improved than before and the government is very concerned about maintain the conducive situation.”

In regards to the Election in 2009 which occurs today, Director Pitana supports that the Election will run democratically and orderly that safety and security of visitors will not be affected. This is different than the previous Election because the people of Indonesia are now more matured in demonstrating democracy and this year there are more variety of political party so there is a good equal spread of diversity.

***

 

Background Info:

 

Event title:         Sales Mission Bali & Beyond Australia & New Zealand 2009 Period:             from Sunday 12^th until Friday 24^th of April to 5 cities namely Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Wellington and Auckland organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia. The detail schedule is as follows: 13 April 2009               arrival in Sydney (29 tourism professionals, led by Director for International Promotion Prof. IG Pitana) 14 April                        7-9pm Presentation & Table Top event                                     at Novotel Rockford Sydney 15 April                        Syndey to Brisbane 16 April                        7-9pm Presentation & Table Top event                                     at Hilton Brisbane 18 April                        Brisbane to Melbourne (29 tourism professionals, led by Director                                     for Market Development Mr. Syamsul Lussa) 20 April                        7-9pm Presentation & Table Top event                                     at The Windsor Melbourne 21 April                        Melbourne to Wellington 22 April                        7-9pm Presentation & Table Top event                                     at The Indonesian Embassy in Wellington 23 April                        Wellington to Auckland 23 April                        7-9pm Presentation & Table Top event                                    at Hyatt Auckland 24 April                        Auckland to Jakarta, close programme

Each event in the five cities will run for two hours covering program highlights such as the speech from Director for International Promotion Prof. IG Pitana (in Sydney and Brisbane) and from Director for Market Development Mr. Syamsul Lussa (in Melbourne, Wellington and Auckland) in tandem with speech from representatives of the Embassy or Consulate Offices in the respective cities. Media are invited to all the 5 events.

- End-  

For further information please contact:-

Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia Director for International Promotion Prof. IG Pitana Director for Market Development Mr. Syamsul Lussa Jalan Merdeka Barat No.17, Jakarta 10110, Indonesia Telp. 62-21-3838314 Fax.  62-21-3880828 www.indonesia.travel    

For further information on events:-

Bali Village Secretariat Ms. Indira Patni Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai 121x, Sanur, Bali, Indonesia Telp. 62-361-288878 Fax.  62-361-289427 info@balivillage.com www.balivillage.com

About Bali Village:-

Bali Village is one of the nine stakeholders of Bali Tourism Board, in charge of destination promotion. Since its founding in 1995, Bali Village, a non-profit association, has established itself as the premiere gateway between Bali and the world. Beginning with a handful of partners, our village has now grown to more than 200 members strong, made up of hotels, villas, tourism attractions and agents who have the unified vision to promote together.  By working to raise Bali’s global profile and to promote its unique attractions and its safe, harmonious culture, Bali Village has become the island’s most respected community marketing and promotional organization. With a mission to support the development of quality tourism, through promotional, marketing and information-sharing activities, as well as to empower its members to participate in an increasingly competitive international marketplace, Bali Village has a responsibility to focus on the future. (***BV)