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ON TAIWAN Business & Tourism Guide to Taiwan was released in the Middle East markets on the eve of the Arabian Travel Market and the commencement of direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Taipei by China Airlines... Full Story...
Tourists from the Middle East are attracted to Indonesia because of its Islamic heritage, excellent shopping facilities and world-class hotels...
Mohammad Al Midfa, Director-General of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry at the launch ceremony of the Business & Tourism Guide to Indonesia
Indonesia has made a strong statement in the Middle East markets by wooing travellers from the region to its shore through a series of promotional campaigns. The country organised its first international "Solo Exhibition" in the United Arab Emirates in 2003. To further promote its business and tourist interests in the Middle East, the Indonesian authorities commissioned the publication of the Business & Tourism Guide to Indonesia.
Published in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Garuda Indonesia, the Business & Tourism Guide to Indonesia proved to be a catalyst in improving bi-lateral relations between the Middle East countries and Indonesia.
The success of the venture can be gauged from the fact that after the launch of the publication, tourist arrivals from the Middle East countries to Indonesia jumped a whopping 44,000 in 2005. The number is expected to increase to 100,000 by 2007 and 500,000 by 2012.
"There are still many people in the Middle East who don't know about Indonesia - what is there, what it is like and how to get there," says Jero Wacik, Indonesia's Minister for Culture and Tourism.
"In this context, the publication of specialised magazines such as the Business & Tourism Guide to Indonesia provide vital information to boost bi-lateral ties between Indonesian and the Middle East," said I. Gede Ardika, former Minister for Culture and Tourism.
Inauguration ceremony of the first Indonesia Solo Exhibition in United Arab Emirates.
Commenting on the usefulness of the Business & Tourism Guide to Indonesia, Rini M. Sumarno Soewandi, Indonesia's Minister of Industry and Trade said: "I congratulate the publishers of the Business & Tourism Guide to Indonesia for promoting direct trade between Indonesia and the Middle East companies by providing information that is relevant and timely. The information provided in this publication will help us to further strengthen the fruitful relationship with our business partners in the Middle East," she said.
"The Middle East is one of the fastest growing markets for us," said Udin Saifuddin, Deputy for Tourism Development at Indonesia's Culture and Tourism Ministry. "The publication of the Business & Tourism Guide to Indonesia is a significant step towards the promotion of Indonesia's tourism and business potential in the lucrative markets of the Middle East," he said.
Bi-lateral trade and tourism between Middle East countries and Indonesia has been registering an impressive growth in recent years. Exports of Indonesian products to the Middle East region have gained renewed buoyancy. Tourism too has played an important role in opening up new vistas of mutual co-operation and building bridges between the peoples of Indonesia and the Middle East. As a result, traditional trade and cultural ties between the Arab world and Indonesia are being constantly renewed to meet the challenges of the new millennium.
"I congratulate the publishers of the Business & Tourism Guide to Indonesia for promoting direct trade between Indonesia and the Middle East companies by providing information that is relevant and timely. The information provided in this publication will help us to further strengthen the fruitful relationship with our business partners in the Middle East"
Rini M. Sumarno Soewandi Indonesia's Minister of Industry & Trade
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