Kompas Monday, 27 October 2008 | 03:00 WIB
By Subhan SD
Do not longer a question of tourists that "Indonesia, where Bali?" Regarded as humorous. Indeed, the question is an irony, as well as concern. Sad because the name of Indonesia is not much known at the map of the earth. Actually, Indonesia is perhaps the only string of emerald equator nan unique and beautiful.
It feels too long we driven to the swing question quiz that foreign tourists. Now, it's time to delete the question is strange. Because, remember Indonesia is a country that has spread so widely, land and sea. From the west end to the east is created if the European Continent, breadth of the UK to Turkey. If set in the mainland United States, landlocked country covering a breadth Adidaya it. Unfortunately, a tropical country so vast and beautiful it was noktah a vessel that is not visible.
Deserve only when the Ministry of Culture and Tourism furiously to promote tourist attractions in Indonesia, besides Bali, in various countries. It is also the time berpromosi in Russia at the end of September. At least two events that make incessant tourism market in Russia, namely Indonesia Expo held in the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow on 20-26 September 2008. One is a big event and the prestige, the tourism market in Otdykh Leisure in Crocus, about one hour journey from Moscow, on 23-26 September 2008.
"The regions other than Bali tourism lots. We introduce the region is very interesting to visit, "said Campaign Director of Foreign Affairs Depbudbar I Gde Pitana in each of the entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet travel agents in the tourism market in Indonesia and Otdykh Leisure Expo.
Bali is only fair so popular. As the region's best tourism has been acknowledged the world. Brand received so many Balinese, for example, the title The World's Best Island Destination '(2001-2007), the Most Favorite Holiday Destination (2005 - 2006), the Most Favorite Island' (2005) Asia's SPA Capital '(2005 ), The Best Holiday Destination in Asia (2006), and the PATA Gold Award 2005 for ecotourism.
However, the tourist paradise in Indonesia is not only Bali. Moreover, Bali, at this time more tightly. Employers tourism in Bali, Iwan Taruna, that the problem Bali at the time this is a matter of accommodation. Number of rooms in hotels and other lodging can be difficult as the peak season. "We accommodation difficulties. Hence we continue to offer the information to Lombok, "said Iwan.
Other regions
It feels that now is the time pass tour other areas covered in a beautiful, interesting, and have specific characteristics which spread since Aceh to Papua. The beauty of the blue sea and islands in the montane Raja Ampat Islands, Papua, like the Garden of dirambah not many tourists. Natural beauty beneath the sea in the area be to make all tourists dive canyon cliffs-nan beautiful coral reefs and colorful.
The beauty of the sea can be found in other Wakatobi Islands (Wangi-fragrant, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko) at the tip of Sulawesi, coral reefs in the Islands Takabonerate at the end of South Sulawesi Island, Togean in Tomini Bay, in the Mentawai of West Sumatra, Kalimantan, Derawan East, Thousand Islands in the Bay of Jakarta, Sumba, Bunaken, and others.
Questions also the beauty of the mountains spread of not less withdraw, for example, the beauty of Mount Bromo, Mount Rinjani, Kelimutu Lake, until uniqueness of mountain snow in the tropical region of Papua. Not to question the ethnic diversity, culture, tradition and art, which shows how virtually no wealth Indonesian counterpart.
So, in the exhibition in Moscow, the Depbudbar truly market areas such tourism can become a tourist destination Russia. Tourism areas outside Java-Bali that include North Sulawesi, West Sumatra, East Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, Riau, South Sumatra, North Sumatra, South Sulawesi and West Papua. I Gde Pitana said, Indonesia continues to introduce regional destinations other than Bali. "Bali we made the window. We call beyond Bali. Visitors who came to Bali and then we point to areas other destinations, "he said, Wednesday (24 / 9).
Therefore, efforts to promote regional tourism besides Bali is a job that is not incidental. In fact, need to be an important breakthrough to areas that afford a lure for foreign tourists. It feels efforts to promote tourism areas that can not be the normal way. Many of the uniqueness of Indonesia should also be marketed in a unique and more market oriented.
Questions how to market, the Indonesian Ambassador in Russia Hamid Awaludin said the importance of marketing new ways to be more fit and able to make foreign tourists tempted. He cited example, in the campaign brochures must be able to sell something unique, such as Komodo Island. He said not enough with images of animals and komodo dragons are general descriptions. "We should have written quite complete that komodo dragons are the remaining ancient animals. So mentioned, that they want to see the remnants of ancient civilization came this time to Komodo Island. If not now, you can not see the remnants of civilization that, "said Hamid.
Market potential
Why Russia? Not only efforts to seek new markets, but the quantitative amount of the original Russian tourists visiting Indonesia, in this case Bali, each year has increased significantly, especially the last three years. In 2004, the number of Russian tourists 19,139 people, a sharp increase to be 47,212 people next year. In 2007, the number 51,687 people. In 2008, the target of 70,000 people, until July Pleasant almost 40,000 people.
From the point of spending money, Russian tourists are also quite wasteful. Each visit (average 10 days) Russian tourist spends 1,753 U.S. dollars. That is outside the accommodation and transportation. Compared to spending tourists Australia, for example, Russian tourists is much higher. Australian tourists spent around 1,330 U.S. dollars per visit. "Visitors including Russia, which spent a lot of money," said Jordi Paliama, head of the European Depbudbar Field Campaign. Only fair, the Russian market began in 1995 is now entering the emerging markets category, as the economic growth of Russia, which delivered many new rich people.
However, Russia is still the market access to products of transportation. During the flight from the Russian point using the Singapore Airlines-Moscow route with the Singapore-Bali, five times a week. Other airlines, Transaero, that fly Moscow-Bali twice a week. Planned this October, Transaero three times a week.
Facing the obstacles that make the flight Hamid Awaludin hope there is a direct flight Moscow-Bangkok served Garuda Indonesia. However, the Hamid direct contact petinggi Garuda is angry because the Garuda does not give a positive response. "Actually this is a market. The Garuda is prohibited in Europe, in Russia we do not. Unfortunately, this is not seen Garuda, "he said.
Should, as the tourism sector "not because of cracked and hot dogs because of the rain" not only Depbudpar affairs. Local governments, airlines, and the private sector should also formed a more proactive cooperation with the visionary planning. Cook from the first question of access and facilities is not finished, done, how would serve tourists with a safe and comfortable?
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