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Indonesia in The Spotlight

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Published on Wednesday, 24 February 2016 17:20
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Nation

Tuesday, 23 February 2016

 

Indonesia in the spotlight

One for the album: Firnandi (second from left) shaking hands with Datuk Hamzah at the press conference. Also present were MATTA CEO Phua Tai Neng (right) and Visit Indonesia Tourism Office country manager (Malaysia) Muhammad Shafie Obet.

KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia, known for its delicious cuisine and scenic tourist attractions, will be Asean’s Favourite Destination partner for the upcoming Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair in March. 

Assistant deputy director at the office of the deputy for international marketing, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, Firnandi Gufron said the move was apt as Malaysians made up one of the largest number of inbound tourists for the country.

“Malaysia is very important for Indonesia as it is a strategic market for the country,” said Firnandi at a press conference yesterday.

He added that the MATTA Fair, for which Indonesia has been appointed Asean’s favourite destination three times so far, was a main event for the country to attract visitors.

He said that for the coming MATTA Fair, Indonesia would have 36 booths in Hall 3 of the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and would feature about 50 tour companies from the country.

“For the first time we will also feature 20 to 30 local agents from Malaysia who can directly sell Indonesian packages,” he said, adding that those buying Indonesian tour packages at the fair would also receive free gifts.

He said Indonesian singer Cakra Khan would also be present at the opening ceremony of MATTA Fair.

Firnandi said Indonesia was targeting two million visitors from Malaysia this year as opposed to 1.7 million last year.

He added that for this year, Indonesia was planning to showcase ten destinations including Lake Toba, Yogyakarta, and Belitung.

MATTA president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat said that he was delighted to announce Indonesia’s appointment as Asean’s favourite destination.

“From this gesture, you can see that Tourism Ministry Indonesia is serious in promoting the country here.

“They have faith in the Malaysian market,” said Hamzah, adding that he believed that it is “the right move” to promote close relations between the two countries, seeing that the 50th anniversary of Asean is next year

He also said that the official launch of the upcoming fair would be on Saturday March 12 and that it would be launched by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

“This (the launch by Johor MB) is in line with our objective to promote domestic tourism and every state in Malaysia will be featured similarly,” he said.

MATTA Fair will be held from March 11 to 13 at the PWTC and will be open to the public from 10am to 9pm daily for the three days.

Entrance ticket is priced at RM4 per person and children below the age of 12 can enter for free.