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INDONESIA’S Recreational Dive Business Association (IRDBA) held an initial business gathering supported by Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy invites special interest travelers to extend this year’s Bali trip to include other dive destination in Indonesia, during the trade only event ‘Diving Business Gathering” in Sydney (02/22), 2023.
The invitation provided a business matching for 120 members of IRDBA to connect with Australian counterparts and promote the country’s readiness to accommodate Australians while enhancing the awareness of Wonderful Indonesia as a top-of-mind diving holiday destination.
“IRDBA holds the belief that collaboration is the key to achieving greater strength and unlocking new opportunities for business growth. Our focus is on assisting our members in recovering from the impact of COVID-19 by attracting more customers and offering a safe and unforgettable diving experience. We work alongside all stakeholders to cultivate a favorable business environment while also making contributions to our nation,” said Arief Yudo Wibowo, the Chairman of IRDBA.
He explained that to further boost Indonesia’s diving tourism recovery, Tourism Ministry encourages the industry to promote and to collaborate with their counterparts in neighboring countries, one of the special one is Australia where they mainly visit Bali for their gateway to Wonderful Indonesia.
“Tourism Ministry is supported by national flag airline carrier Garuda Indonesia, full-service airline that spoiled divers with 30 kg free sport baggage and 50% discount for excess baggage fee. This effort is to disperse tourist to three new destinations from Bali: the Labuan Bajo, a 90-minute flight east of Bali, and the gateway to Komodo Dragons; Lombok Island, a 30-minute flight east of Bali, offering laid-back family-friendly beaches; and Likupang for 2 and half hour’s flight where you can go dive in pristine environment away from busy sea surface traffic,” he remarked.
Labuan Bajo, he continued is located on the westernmost of the Island of Flores and is famous for its sunsets, dramatic landscapes, and wildlife, including Komodo Dragons which are observable in Komodo National Park, one of Indonesia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Komodo is an exciting and can be a challenging place to dive. Warm water temperature between 27-28 degrees attracts divers all around the world to dive Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Lombok gain more and more visitor thanks to new Mandalika Circuits and other infrastructure. In Gili islands, paradise with resorts and highest diving certification school and most popular sites. A quieter alternative from the busy urban areas while maintaining hospitality. While their diver and go to continue their dive training level or they can do shark diving (West Trawangan). Turtle diving, drift diving, wreck diving (Japanese WWII patrol boat wreck) and off course muck diving for those underwater photographers that recently get a new sighting of pygmy seahorse.
“At Likupang It takes one and half hours drive from Manado to Likupang. Once the highway between Manado and Bitung is completed the time travel can be shorten to 30 minutes. Likupang is a hidden gem that only divers know. Dive centers and resorts in small islands just offshore Likupang is best-loved by international divers. In fact, one of them has always been one of the Top 25 best dive resorts in the world,” Arief Yudo Wibowo concluded.
Meanwhile Itok Parikesit, Director of Promotion and Special Interest Tourism of Tourism Ministry said to strengthen Indonesia’s positioning in Australia as a diving tourist destination. This gathering activity is aimed at identifying Australian market trends related to diving tourism, promoting potential Indonesian diving tourist destinations to Australian dive wholesalers, travel agents (TA), and tour operators (TO) to offer diving tour packages to Indonesia at competitive prices, as well as expanding and strengthening networking with relevant stakeholders.
“I do hope that this activity will provide positive prospects for increasing the number of foreign tourist visits to Indonesia, especially from Australia, as well as improving the economies and welfare of both the people of Indonesia and Australia,” he finished. [sources/photo special]
