The Tourism Ministry is set to take part in the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) Show in Orlando, United States slated on Nov. 1-4.
DEMA show is an annual international exhibition for diving, water sports and travel industries that regularly attracted divers from all over the world.
The ministry seeks to increase the number of American tourists coming to Indonesia to 360,000 people by joining the event.
The ministry's deputy minister for overseas promotion I Gde Pitana said the timing of the event is perfect since most of Americans travel to Indonesia during the winter season.
“Usually they go to warmer places, one of them is Southeast Asia. Coincidentally, former United States President Barrack Obama has recently visited Indonesia,” said Pitana.
Meanwhile, the ministry's deputy assistant for Europe, the United States, Middle East and Africa tourism promotion Nia Niscaya said that Indonesia would occupy a 600 square meters pavilion at the event.
“We’ll bring 20 industry players, one airline (Singapore Airlines), Manado provincial administration and West Papua Culture and Tourism Agency,” told Nia.
Additionally, West Papua is going to occupy 25 booths with the total area of 234 square meters.
Nia said that they would promote 10 leading diving destinations in Indonesia such as Bali, Lombok, Komodo – Labuan Bajo, Alor, Bunaken & Lembeh, Togean, Wakatobi, Derawan, Banda & Ambon and Raja Ampat.
The Tourism Ministry is also going to put advertorials in Orlando Sentinel print publication and on the official website of DEMA.
A gathering will also take place at the event on Nov. 2, featuring cultural performances, a talk show, door prize and a cocktail party.
Indonesia has 55 diving destinations with more than1,500 diving spots located from Aceh to Papua, making the archipelago a country with the most number of diving spots in the world.
“Diving is a niche or luxury market that is enjoyed by only one percent of the world population. There are around 2.7 to 3.5 million divers in the United States and six millions in the world. One of the reasons why we’re participating in DEMA is to show the underwater beauty of our country,” said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya.
Apart from DEMA Show, the ministry plans to join five other events in US throughout 2017, such as New York Times Travel Show, Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show, Seatrade Cruise Global, IMEX America and Indonesia Sales Mission in United States. (kes)