TIME in Indonesia – not just a travel show
LOMBOK – The falling US dollar and strength of the Euro and Australian dollar has helped the Indonesian tourism industry to weather the economic storm of 2009.
TIME 2009 has reported an estimate of USD17.48 million of transactions over the three-day travel mart held in Lombok, an increase of 15 percent from last year’s event held in Makassar.
Additionally, the chairman of ASITA (Association of Indonesian Tours & Travel Agents) said he believes the exposure Lombok has received, from the nearly 140 buyers attending TIME 09, would help the island boost its occupancy rate from an average of 45 percent (2008-09) to the 2010 goal of 55 percent.
He said next year’s TIME, also to be held in Lombok, would more actively promote the adjacent island, Sumbawa, to buyers.
It wasn’t all plain sailing. Buyer Peter Brunner from Los Angeles
complained his arrival at Denpasar was marred by immigration officials questioning an Israeli stamp in his passport, and his Filipino wife allegedly being asked for a bribe of $10 to speed up his passage through Customs.
Immigration overcrowding was a problem this year for many overseas buyers arriving at Denpasar airport.
Queues of up to three hours to pay the Visa on Arrival fee and proceed through Immigration were widely experienced.
Not a great look for a Travel Mart.
Local Indonesian media reported the problems enthusiastically on TV and in the media with the full support of TIME organisers, who advised complaints be directed to local media representatives.
Hopefully, these issues raised will see some changes in immigration procedures at Denpasar, not only for TIME 2010 delegates, but for the increasing number of visitors attracted by the favourable currency exchange.
2010 could be shaping up to be a bumper year for Indonesia.
By Ian Crawshaw at TIME 2009 Lombok
Ian Jarrett
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