Indonesian Tourism Minister opens Sri Lanka Stall at Astindo 2017

Tuesday, 28 March 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya ceremonially inaugurated Sri Lanka’s tourism stall at Astindo Fair 2017 on Friday (24 March) at the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC) in Indonesia. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Jakarta, Dharshana Perera, Embassy officials, Sri Lankan tour operators and companies joined in the opening ceremony.

This is the first time Sri Lanka is participating at Astindo. Six prominent Sri Lankan travel and tour companies – Lanka Sportreizen, Deluxe Vacations Ltd., Jetwing Travels, Green Holiday, Nawamini Travels Ltd. (www.nawamini.travel), one hotelier – The Hilton Colombo and SriLankan Airlines were part of the country’s presence.

Astindo Fair is Indonesia’s one of the biggest, most comprehensive tourism forums and an event where travel and tourism industry engage with consumers to gain information and access on traveling for their dream destinations.

Tourism has featured highly during the discussions between President Maithripala Sirisena (March) and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (August 2016) had with Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia.

Sri Lanka’s participation is a partnership between The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTB) and tourism industry partners.

Studies show a market potential to capture an estimate 9.2% of Indonesia’s 260 Million plus population who travel overseas for leisure at least once a year. Another 9% travel on leisure within Indonesia and outside Indonesia at least once a year. This makes Indonesia a high potential emerging market for the Sri Lankan tourism industry.