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FIVE Indonesian companies in the tourism industry are participating in the Tehran International Tourism Expo (TITEX) 2018, from Jan 23 to 26, to explore tourists from Iran, which is the new target market of Indonesian tourism.
According to the General Manager of Sun Island Bali, Ismullah, said that Iran has become the new market for the company, even though some Iranians have already used his tourism services business in Seminyak, Bali. The tourists stay for a long time, may be up to a week. They are also more casual than other Middle Eastern tourists.
In addition to Sun Island Bali, Indonesian tour companies participating in TITEX are Bvlgary Resort Bali, Ayodya Resort Bali, Karma Kandara, and Double Six Luxury Hotel Seminyak.
Meanwhile, Alireza Ebrahimshah, the Director of Indo Persia Destination, who is the facilitator of the five Indonesian companies, remarked that Indonesian tourism industries have opportunities to expand their business as most Iranians are only aware of Malaysia.
He pointed out that there are about 30 thousand Iranians traveling to Malaysia, while the number of visit to Indonesia is still small. Nevertheless, the number of Iranian tourists has been increasing over time, and therefore, there is a good prospect.
According to Ebrahimshah, during the last nine months, there were about four thousand Iranians who visited tourist sites in Indonesia.
“The trend of Iranian tourists visiting Indonesia is rising, although they are still only familiar with Bali. In the future, they will also be familiar with Lombok, Yogyakarta, Bandung, and other destinations,” he stated.
He added that during the Iranian New Year Iran (Nouruz) in spring, the company will charter a plane for Iranians to visit Indonesia.
“So far, there are many people who have ordered tour packages to Indonesia. Indo Persia will charter aircraft to directly fly from Tehran to Bali,” he revealed.
Meanwhile, the Cultural Information Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, Tety Mudrika Hayati, explained that TITEX is an annual tourism exhibition, which is organized by Tehran International Trading and Exhibition Corporation, in cooperation with Iran Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) and Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts & Tourism Organization & Iran International Exhibition Co. (IIEC).
According to Mudrika, a number of tourism industries, such as hotels, transportation services, restaurants, insurances, travel agencies, and car rentals, from various countries participate in the event.
“This annual event is very promising to attract Iranian tourists and those from surrounding countries to visit Indonesia,” he pointed out. [antaranews/photo special]
