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After last year being held parallel with the PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2007 in Bali, this year’s Indonesia’s annual travel mart Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) or Pasar Wisata Indonesia returns to Makassar, South Sulawesi. This Indonesian premier tourism event will be held on 14 – 17 October 2008 at Celebes Convention Center (CCC). Entering its 14th years of conduct, TIME is organized by the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (ITPB) and supported by entire tourism components in Indonesia.
The Chairwoman and Steering Committee of TIME 2008, Meity Robot, said the conduct of TIME also supports the government program of “Visit Indonesia Year 2008” which targeting 7 million of tourist arrivals to Indonesia, as TIME is aimed at promoting Indonesia as tourist destination in international market and at the same time raise the country image as one of global travel destinations.
TIME is the only international travel mart in Indonesia with business to business concept. The event is a meeting place for those who sell tourism products and services in Indonesia (seller) to international market (buyer). TIME has been listed in the calendar of international travel mart together with ITB Berlin, WTM London, Arabian Travel Mart (ATM), PATA Travel Mart, and so on,” Meity said.
“Bearing the theme of “Eco-Tourism and Maritime Tourism”, TIME 2008 will present all tourist destinations, inclusding popular travel destinations, tourism objects, new product development particularly those which relate to Eco-Tourism dan Maritime Tourism,” Meity continued.
The Mayor of Makassar, Ilham Arief Sirajuddin, which is also Organizing Committe Chairman of TIME 2008, welcomes the appointment of Makassar as host of TIME for the second time. “The appointment of Makassar as host of IME 2008 should be embraced by the people of Makassar since it could directly promote the city’s tourism sector. This oppotunity shows that Makassar was successful in hosting TIME in 2006 indicated by the significant transaction between the international buyers and Indonesian tourism industry (sellers) at the event. Moreover, buyers have seen the tourism potentiality Makassar and South Sulawesi have. We also received positive comments from buyers, sellers and international media on the conduct of TIME in Makassar,” said Ilham.
Local Organizing Committee of TIME 2008 and concurrent Chairman of ASITA and INCCA, Niko B. Pasaka, stated that this year Makassar is more ready in hosting TIME 2008. “Presently, a number supporting facilties are closing to completion. This includes the 11 kilometer of highway connecting Makassar city center to airport as well as the completion of Hasanuddin International Airport. We hope these facilities could finish on time to support TIME 2008,” Nico continued.
South Sulawesi is among the Five Golden Destinations in Indonesia. Moreover, Makassar has become one of MICE (Meeting, Incentive Conference & Exhibition) destinations in Indonesia. Makassar and its neighboring areas have a lot to offer to international travelers. To name of these, Port of Rotterdam, Somba Opu Fortress, Lagaligo Museum, Mandala Museum, as well as beaches such as Losari, Tanjung Bunga , Akkarena, Kayangan island, Kodingareng island, Bantimrung fountain, butterfly palace in Maros regency and many more.
The appointment of Makassar as host of this year’s TIME is in line with the previous commitment that the city is entitled to host TIME for two period of time. “TIME last year was held in Bali parallel with PATA Travel Mart, now it is the second period for Makassar. Secondly, support and cooperation from the provincial government of South Sulawesi and city of Makassar, associations in South Sulawesi and Makassar as well as their tourism industry to support TIME 2008. Third, the more readiness of Makassar to host this international tourism event due to the availabilty of infrastructure and supporting facilties. Finally, the shifting of TIME to the gateway of Eastern Indonesia is aimed promoting Makassar, South Sulawesi as well as east Indonesia to the international market. With more tourists arriving there will be improvement in the infrastructure. Furthermore, buyers and international media are given the opportunity to take part in the post tour program, Toraja or Manado,” Meity went on.
TIME 2006 successfully attracted total attendants of 110 international buyers from 21 countries, with top five buyers including Netherlands, China, Korea, Malaysia & Indonesia, and 124 sellers from 20 provinces in Indonesia, which mostly coming from Jakarta, Bali, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi & Central Java. The percentage of sellers based on industry are hotels & resorts (43%), tour operators & travel agencies (29%), NTO (20%), and others include diving, golf, airline, travel portal (8%). The estimated contracts signed at TIME 2006 exceeds US$ 15 million or increasing 2% from its previous year.
Compared to TIME 2005 and 2004 held in Yogyakarta, TIME 2005 was attended by 84 buyers from 23 countries with top buyers coming from Netherlands, Indonesia, Korea, USA, Australia, Germany, India, Italia, Spain, Thailand, China, and Belgium, and 128 sellers from 20 provinces. Whereas, TIME 2004 attracted 102 buyers from 28 countries and 147 sellers from 23 provinces. “The number of buyers attending TIME for six consecutive years have been relatively steady since these are potential buyers which sell Indonesian tourism products and services in their markets respectively,” Meity concluded.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
