[Beijing,
7/05/12] – Eight journalists from seven major media in China, namely
Lookwe Magazine, Beijing Television, China Radio
International, China Daily, Culture Magazine, Vision International, and the 21st
Century Business Herald, have joined the Familiarization Trip (Famtrip) organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, in
cooperation with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy
(MTCE), Garuda Indonesia Airlines
Beijing Branch and Association of Indonesia Tour and Travel (ASITA) West Java
Branch, from 29 April to 4 Mei 2012. Famtrip is a
part of the regular activities organized by the Indonesian Representatives in
China, to promote tourist destinations in Indonesian and amplify the promotion
efforts, by partnering with influential local media.
The
journalists attended the JTX (Jawa Barat Travel
Exchange) at Hotel Panghegar, Bandung, and visited several
tourism sites in Bandung, Jakarta and the surrounding areas. The tourism sites
were Mount Tangkuban Perahu
Crater, Ciater Hot Spring, Hotel Sari Ater, Bandung Conference Museum, Saung
Angklung Udjo, Safari Park
and Putri Island in the Thousand Islands. The Famtrip participants also had the chance to shop at the
Indonesian craft center Sarinah
Thamrin, experienced Indonesian traditional massage
at the Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa and enjoyed Indonesian culinary.
During
the JTX opening ceremony and Gala Dinner, hosted by the Governor of West Java Province
Mr. Achmad Heryawan and the
Mayor of Bandung City Mr. Dada Rosada, the Famtrip participants watched West Java traditional dances
and cultural performances. The journalists also took the opportunity to
interview the Governor of West Java and the Mayor of Bandung on various issues,
among others the West Java potential tourism sites, its tourism infrastructure,
Mandarin speaking tour guides and the effectiveness of the JTX in attracting
international outbound tourists.
Afterwards,
during the interview with the MTCE in Jakarta, the reporter from Beijing
Television also conducted an interview with Ms. Budihardjanti,
Deputy Director for International Tourism Relation and Famtrip,
MTCE on tourism promotion and destination in Indonesia.
The
journalists, who mostly have never been to Indonesia before, said they were
impressed by the natural beauty of West Java and the metropolis life of Jakarta.
They viewed that the tour enjoyed by the group was especially appealing for
family vacation.
The
Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, in cooperation with related institutions, is
planning to conduct three Famtrips within the year
2012. Each Famtrip will cover different tourist
destinations, so that the activity can be an eye opener for the Chinese people
in seeing Indonesia’s tourism potentials.