Lampung to host Indonesian B2B travel mart for second year running

FOR the second consecutive year, Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) will be held in Bandar Lampung, the capital of Lampung province on the southern tip of Sumatra.

Lampung Culture & Tourism Office head, Gatot Hudi Utomo, said: “TIME 2011 was the first international event that Lampung ever held (TTG Asia e-Daily, October 13, 2011) and therefore, there were things we had to learn. Based on the mistakes we made in 2011, we will improve and put up a better show for buyers, sellers and media this year.”

“We will organise a pre-event tour which will include a tour to Mount Anak Krakatau, and a trip to watch the Lampung Cultural & Tapis (woven cloth) Carnival, the biggest cultural parade participated by all regencies in Lampung,” he added.

According to Utomo, the regional government will also be more selective in inviting local stakeholders to participate as sellers. “We will only invite those who do inbound and have a variety of products. We will also help them to maximise their participation at the show,” he said.

According to organising committee chairman Meity Robot, TIME 2012 is set to take place from October 9-12, and a total of 78 sellers and 80 buyers are being targeted. PACTO Convex has been appointed as the PCO for the show.

PACTO Convex managing director, Ketut Salam, said: “With the growing demand from Asia, and longhaul markets still affected by the economic crisis, we will be focusing on inviting buyers from ASEAN countries, and those with strong economies such as China, India and Australia.

Last year, TIME attracted 84 sellers from 10 provinces and 77 buyers from 27 countries, with total transactions hitting an estimated US$15.7 million.

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