W.Java seeks Rp 100b in tourism transactions

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung | Thu, 06/05/2008 10:12 AM

The West Java Tourism and Cultural Agency aims to garner Rp 100 billion (US$10.7 million) in tourism transactions from its four-day 2008 Travel Exchange event in Bandung, West Java, an official said Wednesday. 

Agency chief Idjudin Budhiana said the annual event, which began Tuesday, had attracted 104 foreign buyers, as well as 70 local sellers from areas outside West Java, including Bali and Makassar in South Sulawesi. 

"West Java has about 40 sellers who will promote some 300 tourism spots, such as Tangkuban Perahu mountain in Lembang and Pelabuhan Ratu beach in Sukabumi," Idjudin said. 

Tourism is West Java's main source of gross domestic income, with the region this year gunning to make Rp 25 trillion from its target of 37.5 million local tourists and 700,000 foreign travelers, equating to 10 percent of the nation's foreign arrival target. 

According to the agency, West Java saw 36 million local and 600,000 foreign tourists last year, lower than the anticipated 40 million local and one million foreign tourists.

Idjudin said the agency planned to form a special government assisted tourism body, which would include travel associations, a collection of hotels and restaurants and other tourism related institutions to help bolster campaigns in the area.