The 14th Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) will take place in Makassar, South Sulawesi on 14-17 October 2008 at the Celebes Convention Centre (CCC).
In 2006, TIME attracted 110 international buyers from 21 countries with the top five buyers from the Netherlands, China, Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia with the expo generating an estimated US$15million of business, according to Lovely Indonesia.
“The conduct of TIME also supports the government program of ‘Visit Indonesia Year 2008’ which targeting 7 million of tourist arrivals to Indonesia, as TIME is aimed at promoting Indonesia as tourist destination in international market and at the same time raise the country image as one of global travel destinations” said Meity Robot, Chairwoman TIME 2008 Steering Committee.
TIME 2008 will be themed “Eco-Tourism and Maritime Tourism” and aim to present all popular tourist destinations, objects, new product development, all in relation to the theme.
In relation to TIME 2008 being held in Makassar, Meity explained that it was a strategic move to promote Eastern Indonesia to the international market as well as making use of the available supporting facilities and infrastructure.
She said, “With more tourists arriving there will be improvement in the infrastructure. Furthermore, buyers and international media are given the opportunity to take part in the post tour program, Toraja or Manado.”
Niko B. Pasaka Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of TIME 2008 pointed out that Makassar was also close to completing several supporting facilities for the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) industry.
He said, “This includes the 11 kilometer of highway connecting Makassar city center to airport as well as the completion of Hasanuddin International Airport. We hope these facilities could finish on time to support TIME 2008.”
Source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/
July 25th, 2008
PHILIPPINE Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, is the first travel entity to confirm participation in the upcoming 3rd Mindanao Travel & Tour Expo 2008 set on August 8-10 at the Event Centre of SM City Mall.
Provincial Government participants that also signed up earlier for the three-day tourism and travel fair are Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, and Sarangani.
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More regional destinations are expected to join the biggest gathering of tourism players in Mindanao.
Tourism Secretary Ace Durano will grace the opening rites in the afternoon of August 8 with cultural presentations and a fashion show highlighting Mindanao-inspired collections.
The Consulate General’s office in Davao City is also participating in its capacity as partner in the BIMP-Eaga (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asian Growth Area) cooperation. It will have a booth promoting the destination areas around Indonesia, including a showcase of Indonesian traditional dances.
The MTTE 2008 also sees the gathering of tourism schools around Mindanao, with the Mindanao Technical Vocational Education and Training Association (MinTVET), including the Joji Ilagan Career Center Foundation, Inc.
Regional offices of the Department of Tourism in Mindanao are also participating as they take the lead in promoting the different tourist destinations in their respected areas.
Anchored on the theme “Barkadahan sa Octo-Break,” the three-day tourism expo aims to expose students and other young people to affordable packages as they embark on tours during the semestral break, according to DOT regional director Sonia Garcia whose office is a chief MTTE cooperator.
Joji Ilagan-Bian, chairperson of the Mindanao TVET, which is the chief organizer of the event, said the coming tourism fair offers the best opportunity particularly to tourism schools offering Hospitality course and Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM).
The major components of Mindanao Travel and Tour Expo 2008 are the following:
* Daily destination showing and destination booth exhibit of the various tourist destinations in the Mindanao Region.
* Learning Tracks Sessions offered free to interested participants on significant topics like: Tour Guiding, Marketing & Promotion of Hotels and Resorts, International Hospitality, Opportunities in Wellness Tourism and Tourism Schools Standards.
* Jobs Fair targeting students and schools offering Tourism and Hospitality courses, labor leaders and the business community.
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/
July 25th, 2008