Ambassador of Indonesia at the 37th International Tourism Fair
The newly appointed Ambassador of Indonesia in Serbia Mr. Harry Richard James Kandou welcomed the guests at the stand of Indonesia. His Excellency said that we should introduce culture of Indonesia and Serbia to the younger generations so they can learn more about Surabaya in Indonesia or Nis in Serbia, like they know for Hollywood or Paris.
“I think that promoting the exchange of visits, especially younger tourists between our two countries could help strengthen ties, and might even lead to the creation of new opportunities,” said His Excellency Ambassador Kandou at Tourism Fair in Belgrade.
The ambassador recalled that the two countries have excellent political relations since the 1950s. “We have always supported each other, and our two countries are listed among the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement,” added His Excellency Mr. Kandou at the meeting with reporters covering the Fair Events. Noting that Indonesia would like to achieve even stronger ties with Serbia, Ambassador Kandou is estimated that the two countries are “on the way to establish a friendship that we should all be proud of.”
The Ambassador called on the media in Serbia to help Serbian citizens to learn more about the rich culture of Indonesia and its lively society, its friendly people and their energy for progress, but also many natural beauties of this country in Southeast Asia which, together with the exceptional food, traditional music and dance, the basis of local tourism.
The Ambassador pointed out that in the past three years are recorded a steady influx of tourists from Serbia in Indonesia. Also, it was observed that the tourism market in Indonesia attracts more attention on destinations from Serbia.
At the Fair Ambassador Mr. Kandou talked with representatives of tourist agencies on the development of tourism industry in the region, as well as on Indonesia as a center for tourism marketing Serbia in the markets of South Asia, which has been booming. ‘’We tagged Indonesia as a tourist destination, the home of creative art and beautiful nature for tourists from Serbia and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe,” also said the Ambassador.
Indonesian Ambassador in Serbia pointed out that there are already links between tour operators from the two countries, “but they need good media support in order for healthy growth.” The Ambassador stated that during 2014, Indonesia visited by 9.4 million foreign tourists by 7.2 percent higher than a year earlier. In 2014, tourism industry contributed about 3.78 percent of the national economy, while earnings in foreign currency brought 10.69 billion US dollars. The government has set as target earnings of $ 12 billion over 12 million tourists how, it is estimated, to visit the country this year, “added His Excellency Mr. Kandou.
Also, the Ambassador Mr. Kandou said that the country’s authorities do not want to just reach a certain number of foreign tourists, but the quality, “because we want longer stays and higher consumption.” “We’re also witnesses that domestic tourism sector recorded a growth of twice the inflow of foreign tourists. The aim of the domestic tourism sector for 2015 is 254 million trips, with a consumption of 201.5 billion rupees ($ 15.6 billion). Equally we are happy because of the growth in domestic tourism, “said the Ambassador of Indonesia.
Ambassador Kandou is also stated that the Ministry of Tourism in Jakarta formulated the concept of the development of the sector by determining the 88 strategic areas in the country. This includes promotion of soft and hard infrastructure, and the development of thematic and special tourist areas, based on eco-tourism, sports, cruises, cultural heritage…
The development of the tourism industry in Indonesia also includes the construction of a number of ports for cruise ships, especially in eastern Indonesia which is relatively unpolluted and has beautiful scenery. Last year, around 216,000 foreign tourists visited Indonesia with cruise ships compared to 160,000 tourists in 2013. Authorities in Indonesia are hoping that this number by 2016 will be increased to 400,000.
The Ambassador stated that the plan includes encouraging the private sector to build a larger number of hotels and other accommodation facilities for tourists. Although still at an early stage of implementation, the draft has caused increased interest and enthusiasm among investors from Indonesia and abroad. “I very much want to be and Serbia involved in this interesting project,” concluded the Ambassador Mr. Harry James Richard Kandou.
