Published on October 17, 2014
The prestigious 20th TIME Pasar Wisata will be held in the city of Banda Aceh in the province of Aceh, from 23-26 October 2014 with venue at the Hermes Palace Hotel, confirmed Mrs. Esthy Reko Alum, Director General for Tourism Marketing in a press conference on 15 October in Jakarta.
TIME (Tourism Indonesia Mart and Expo) is a B to B Contract Mart between operators of Indonesian tourism products and services as Sellers and international operators who come as Buyers, and is the only one of its kind in Indonesia, where buyers and sellers are guaranteed appointments with their chosen counterparts through computer generated appointments.
This is the prime opportunity for Indonesia’s tourist industry to sell their established products as well as promote new destinations.
TIME is recognized and included in the world”s major tourism industry Calendar of Events that include ITB Berlin, WTM London, Arabian Travel Mart (ATM), PATA Travel Mart, ITB Asia, and others.
This will be the first time that Aceh is host to this important event that has taken place in alternate parts of Indonesia. Last year 20113 TIME was held in Padang, capital city of the province of West Sumatra.
“As host of this event the province of Aceh is expected to take the optimum benefit from this opportunity”, said the Director General Esthy Reko.
“ Until today already 66 buyers have confirmed attendance in Banda Aceh” added Meity Robot, Chairperson of TIME. “They are from the United States, South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Canada, Chechoslovakia, the Philippines, India, Great Britain, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore and other provinces of Indonesia”
While 60 sellers have taken up 36 booths, and cover products and services in the provinces of Bali, Banten, Bangka-[Belitung, Bengkulu, Jakarta, East Java, the Riau Islands, Lampung, West Nusatenggara, Papua, South Sumatra, North Sumatra, South East Sulawesi and of course from Aceh.
This compares to last year’s TIME in Padang that attracted 83 buyer s from 27 countries, with the largest delegations from Malaysia, Indonesia, Poland, the Netherlands, India and Singapore. They made appointments with 81 sellers who took up 70 booths. According to industry participation, sellers present were from Hotels, Resorts & Spa (75%), Promotion Boards (10%), Tour Operators/Travel Agents (7%), Adventure/Activity Holidays (3%), Airlines (1.5%),and Others (Hotel Management, etc.) (8.5%).
While Reza Fahlevi, Head of the Culture and Tourism Office of Banda Aceh, who is also Regional Chairman of TIME 2014, confirmed at the press conference in Jakarta, that the province of Aceh is ready and most pleased to welcome all participants of TIME to Banda Aceh.
Aceh is ready to promote international and domestic tourism. We wish to position ourselves together with other Indonesian provinces as an international destination, while, at the same time, open the opportunity to the people of Aceh to become involved in developing tourism in this province.
A decade on after the devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami and earthquake in 2014, which destroyed huge tracts of the province and drowned hundreds of people, the province of Aceh today has resurrected and wishes to be part of Indonesia’s tourism development.
Major locations that are a must to visit while you are in Banda Aceh are the Tsunami Museum and the large ship that was carried by the tsunami to the middle of the city.
The Tsunami Museum will provide visitors an in-depth understanding of the dramatic events that led to the tragic Indian Ocean tsunami.
While, .the island of Pulau Weh located in the north of the province is now also a favorite haunt for yachters and divers from surrounding neighboring countries, due to its clear waters and amazing underwater life.
