Destination sets sights on specialist markets

Indonesia by Karen Maxwell

Destination sets sights on specialist markets

INDONESIAN exhibitors will be targeting specialist markets during World Travel Market this year, in the hope of bringing tourist arrivals back in line with pre-Asian economic crisis levels.

Bali will again hold two-thirds of the stand shared by the regional government of Jakarta, tourism companies fromEast and West Java and Indonesia’s flagship carrier Garuda Indonesia.

While much of Indonesia is still struggling to revive tourism, Bali has emerged virtually unscathed from the crisis.

Garuda Indonesia will be using WTM to promote its third weekly direct flight from London to Bali starting in April next year.

Garuda UK sales and marketing manager Bruce Watson said: “We have had high load factors in executive, premium economy and economy classes in recent months, with September figures hitting 95.3%. More seats are needed to fill hotel rooms.”

Watson attributes the rise to the stability of the flight product following a revamped schedule, coupled with increased awareness of Bali.

Eco-tourism

Picking up the eco-tourism banner is a handful ofoff-the-beaten-track resorts, such as the Taman Wana Forest Villas, springing up in undeveloped areas like the forests of northwest Bali. President of Bali World Travel Jimmy Jaman will bepromoting this newdevelopment at WTM. Locally owned Waka Nusa resorts has a similar ethos. With just 14 or 15 rooms, décor is rustic, the stone and wood furniture is locally sourced and food bought locally.

Holiday product

Promotions

Cultural, marine and eco-tourism, health spas and meetings and incentives markets are some of the holiday concepts being promoted by the Indonesian Tourist Promotion Board. Members of the Bali Village consortium – consisting of over 150 hotels and ground handlers – are keen to attract repeat visitors and leave a lasting impression on first-time visitors as well.

Repeat visitors

Richard Parks, director of RM Marketing, which promotes and markets Bali and Lombok, said: “Repeat visitors to Asia want to get to the heart of a destination. We hope to offer an experience that does more than scratch the surface.”

Spa and wellness

Many hotels have now turned their attention to the spa and wellness industry, with resorts such as the Nusa Dua Beach Resort offering purpose-built spas in exotic locations.

The gentle touch: hotels are promoting spa breaks