THIS YEAR’s West Java Tourism Exchange, which takes place from May 1-2 in Bandung, is expected to rake in up to US$29 million in transactions, almost double last year’s haul of US$16.6 million, according to organising committee chairman, Hilwan Saleh.
“We have 135 Indonesian and overseas buyers. If each (buyer) brings an estimated 30 tourists every month with an average stay of three days and spending of US$200, the potential transaction could reach US$29 million,” he added.
Meanwhile, West Java Tourism Promotion Board chairman, Cecep Rukmana, noted that the growing domestic and international arrivals to the region, as well as increasing number of direct air connections to Bandung, demonstrated that West Java could attract a good mix of business and leisure travellers.
Garuda Indonesia recently launched Surabaya-Bandung daily services, while AirAsia is planning to start Bangkok-Bandung flights later this year, signaling Thailand’s potential as a source market in addition to Malaysia and Singapore.
