JEDDAH, 15 June 2004 — Travel industry experts in Saudi Arabia are busy working on plans, projects and packages to cash in on the tourism potential of Indonesia.
A function held at the Indonesian consul-general’s residence in Jeddah to promote tourism revealed that nearly 29,000 travelers from the Kingdom had visited Indonesia in the last three years. This year at least 15,000 arrivals are expected. Travel to Indonesia has become increasingly popular among Saudis, mainly because of the numerous attractions of the diverse nation, and also due to present circumstances which have made travel to Europe awkward, and visits to the United States next to impossible.
There is great potential for corporate travel and conferences. The Saudi Business Insight Group is looking into the purchase of a resort in Bali and a 5-star hotel in Jakarta.
In view of the growing interest in travel to Indonesia among Western expatriates and Saudis, Portfolio Travel is preparing special summer packages to Bali, a popular honeymoon resort, and West Java. A great deal of pilgrim and labor traffic is also anticipated.
Market researchers from the travel industry are finding out visitors’ preferences in order to make their trips as interesting and comfortable as possible.
