Lombok, NTB - Rumors abounded for many weeks in Indonesia's travel world that TIME Pasar Wisata, Indonesia's premier travel show for the trade, could be cancelled due to a lack of funds from the Province of West Nusa Tenggara, where Lombok is located.
Finally, it is now official: Indonesia’s annual travel mart, Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) or Pasar Wisata Indonesia, will be held again on the resort island, which was choosen in 2008 to play host for the venue. Due to Ramadan and the following festivities marking its end by mid-September, Pasar Wisata will take place at Sentosa Villas & Resort Lombok from October 12 to 15.
Entering its 15th year of conduct, TIME is organized by the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (ITPB) and supported by the entire tourism components in Indonesia. This includes Indonesia's Mnistry of Culture and Tourism, West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government, West Nusa Tenggara Tourism Office, Lombok Sumbawa Tourism Promotion Board, Garuda Indonesia as the Official Airline Association of Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA), Indonesia Hotels and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Indonesian Conference and Convention Association (INCCA), and Pacto Convex as the event organizer.
TIME 2010 chairwoman and member of the steering committee, Meity Robot, said the conduct of TIME also supports the government program of “Visit Indonesia Year,” which continued this year, as TIME is aimed at promoting Indonesia as a tourist destination in the international market and at the same time raising the country image as one of global travel destinations.
“TIME is the only international travel mart in Indonesia with a business-to-business concept. The event is a meeting place for those who sell tourism products and services in Indonesia (seller) to the international market (buyer). TIME has been listed in the calendar of international travel marts together with ITB Asia, PATA Travel Mart, and WTM in London. TIME 2010 will present all tourist destinations, including popular travel destinations, tourism objects, new product development,” she explained.
The previous TIME 2009 in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, successfully attracted total attendants of 127 buyers from 25 countries, with top five buyers consisting of Malaysia, Korea, India, and Indonesia. They met some 250 delegates from 102 companies and 14 provinces of Indonesia, mostly originating from Jakarta, South Sulawesi, Bali, North Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, Yogyakarta, East Kalimantan, and Papua. The percentage of sellers based on industry are hotel, resort & spa (22 percent), NTO (4 percent), tour operator/travel agent (9 percent), adventure/activity holiday (5 percent), airline (3 percent), and others (hotel management, tourism board, tourism organization, and travel portal (37 percent). TIME is firmly achored as an exchange mart with tranasctions exceeding US$17 million last year, up by 15 percent over 2008.
For Lombok, the event is of great importance as it exposes the destination to the world. A new airport is due to open by December after suffering from numerous construction delays. With its 2,750-meter runway, it will be able to welcome new international flights and accommodate up to 2 million passengers in its first phase. AirAsia is expected to start flying to Lombok out of Kuala Lumpur, boosting total international arrivals. Lombok currently welcomes over 20,000 foreign travelers on direct flights.
Source: http://www.eturbonews.com
