Indonesia awarded the second-best exhibitor

							Indonesia awarded the second-best exhibitor
Frans Surdiasis, The Jakarta Post, Berlin | Business | Mon, March 11 2013, 12:13 PM




Paper Edition | Page: 14

Indonesia’s “impressive” pavilion at the international travel trade show, the Internationale Tourismus
Borse (ITB) Berlin, has earned the country an award for the second-best exhibitor in the category of
Asia, Australia and Oceania destinations.


A team from the Cologne Business School (CBS), which carried out the assessment in cooperation
with the ITB Berlin management, praised Indonesia for presenting visitors with colorful and unique
performances during the expo.


South Korea came first in the same category, followed by Sri Lanka in third place. In total, the jury
selected 10 best pavilions in the category. The ultimate award, called the Best of the Best Pavilion,
was bestowed to Abu Dhabi.


The Best Exhibitor Award has been the highlight of ITB expos, aimed at showing appreciation to
exhibitors for their participation. There are 11 categories of exhibitor awards bestowed to destinations
divided into five regions, travel support companies, hotels, carriers and nonprofit organizations
dedicated to tourism. Students from the CBS evaluated 12,000 pavilions during four days and
selected a total of 110 pavilions for the awards.


Indonesia brought a strong delegation to the ITB Berlin comprising 110 travel agencies, hotels, and
provincial tourist offices. Occupying more than 500 square meters at a total cost estimated to have
reached Rp 20 billion (US$2 million), Indonesia’s pavilion attracted many visitors due to its numerous
performances and traditional dances.


Director general for tourism marketing Esthy Reko Astuty said that Indonesia’s participation at the ITB
Berlin this year had succeeded in promoting the country’s diverse tourist destinations and facilitating
industries in the sector. “Following these past few days, I can say that we have reached our target.
People in the industry have shown a very positive response to this forum, saying it has helped them
retain their existing clients and will help them in attracting new ones,” Esthy said in Berlin on
Saturday.


While praising the government’s efforts to promote tourism overseas, businessmen in the industry
urged the government to improve infrastructure and connectivity among the various destinations.
“Those of us in the industry sincerely praise the government’s increasing attention to the tourist
industry. But the government needs to improve access to several priority destinations,” said Atman
Ferdy, vice president of travel agency, the Panorama Group.



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