LIMITED accessibility and insufficient marketing promotions
have been identified as hurdles to growing Indonesia as a tourist destination.
The comments came from buyers representing nine markets –
Malaysia, India, Switzerland, Thailand, Russia, Canada, Indonesia, Singapore
and the Middle East – during a first-ever dialogue with Indonesia’s minister of
tourism and creative economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, at ATF 2012.
Aditya Dhumma, managing director of India’s Classis Travels
& Tours, said Manado’s potential as a destination among Indians was
hampered by air connectivity. Indian travellers have two route options –
Singapore-Jakarta-Manado or Bangkok-Bali-Manado.
Tourcan Vacations Canada president, Vivek Khanna, who used
to see better volume to Indonesia 25 years ago when Garuda Indonesia operated
flights to Canada, said: “Traffic must go through Hong Kong or Seoul but
promotional seats (with Cathay Pacific and Korean Air) beyond those points are
difficult to secure. You need to book at least six months ahead.”
The minister said the government would resolve connectivity
issues within the next three years. An airport has been planned for Bitung to
draw Filipinos to North Sulawesi, as well as for northern Bali. Roads
connecting Sanur to Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport, which will complete its
expansion by April 2013, will be built.
Buyers also called for stronger destination promotions.
Flex Travel Zurich senior product manager Asia, Ulrike
Meissner, suggested that a Visit Indonesia Tourism Officer (VITO) be appointed
in Switzerland or incorporated under VITO Germany.
Russia’s Tour Express general manager, Diana Ignatenko, said
her travellers were looking for new resort destinations and products such as
jungle safaris, cave diving and extreme adventures, but Russian-speaking guides
were needed.
The minister agreed to look into increasing cooperation with
embassies and the presence of VITOs, and said that a temporary permit for
Russian guides could be arranged until locals were ready to take over.
Currently, rules stipulate that only locals can be hired as guides.
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