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Illustration : Tourist visiting Kelimutu lake -  

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) held a Familiarization Trip (FAM Trip) for _influencers_ from India as an effort to boost foreign tourist arrivals (tourists), especially for the country's market to Indonesia.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, in his statement in Jakarta, Sunday (24/6/2023) explained that India is one of the contributors to foreign tourists to Indonesia and so far tourists from India like Bali as their wedding destination.

In general, wedding organizer industry players in India consider Bali to be very suitable for Indian tourists because it has similar artistic and cultural tendencies.

"This activity is a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy with Singapore Airlines and Garuda Indonesia airlines which will focus on promoting 5 Super Priority Destinations (DSP).

With various strategic steps carried out with partners to promote Indonesia, it is hoped that this will encourage economic revival, create jobs, and open up the widest possible business opportunities," said Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, this effort is also a follow-up to Indonesia's participation in the international tourism exhibition South Asia's Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2023 in New Delhi in February 2023.

At that time the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy brought along industry players from Labuan Bajo who offered tour packages to the public in Indonesia.

And on the FAM Trip this collaboration will also introduce Labuan Bajo as a world-class destination to the Indian _influencers_ who are participating.

Deputy for Marketing for the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, said the FAM Trip was held from 24 to 29 June 2023 in Labuan Bajo. Participants who participated consisted of 3 travel influencers from India, namely Anupriya (IG @anupriyakapur), Rashmi Chadha (IG @rashmichadha), and Mahi Sharma (IG @maahieway).

According to him, Bali has become _top of mind_ for Indian tourists when traveling to Indonesia. Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy wants to introduce another destination that is no less interesting to them, namely Labuan Bajo which is one of the Super Priority Tourism Destinations.

"Through this FAM Trip, we want to convey a message so that foreign tourists, especially from India, can add Labuan Bajo destinations to their trips to Indonesia. It's very easy to get there, you can go through Jakarta directly to Labuan Bajo by taking a two-hour flight, not even an hour by plane from Bali," said Made.

The segmentation of many Indian tourists visiting Indonesia includes couples, families, millennials, and gen Z who are considered suitable for Labuan Bajo destinations with a choice of exotic places, various activities, and various types of accommodation ranging from homestays to luxury resorts.

Ni Made added that the implementation of the FAM Trip this time was supported by various parties, namely Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa, Sea Safari Cruise, Meruorah Labuan Bajo, Grand Komodo Tours, and Anara Airport Hotel Terminal 3 Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

FAM Trip participants arrived in Indonesia on 24 June 2023 and spent the night at Anara Airport Hotel Terminal 3 to continue their flight to Labuan Bajo the next day. It is hoped that the waiting area which is very wide and varied, complete facilities, and the availability of a 4-star hotel, namely Anara Airport Hotel, will convey the message that Terminal 3 is a convenient airport for transit.

In Labuan Bajo, participants will visit the Komodo National Park area with a live on board experience aboard the Sea Safari Cruise Phinisi Sea Safari VII. With this Phinisi, they will visit several destinations, namely Padar Island, Komodo Island, Pink Beach, and Taka Makassar.

Furthermore, participants will be invited to explore the Wae Rebo Tourism Village with a tour package prepared by Grand Komodo Tours. One of the highest villages in Indonesia with an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level and nicknamed the village above the clouds is the right choice for Indian tourists from the millennial and generation Z segments who like adventure.

As a village that has won the 2012 UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards, of course a challenging trip will pay off with the beauty of the village surrounded by mountains and valleys.

While in Labuan Bajo, participants will also experience a stay that will definitely be memorable. Labuan Bajo is currently very ready to be visited by foreign tourists, this can be seen by the availability of various types of accommodation, from homestays, star hotels to luxury resorts.

Participants will stay at Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa which will provide a unique experience in the form of a _resort_ by the sea with amazing views. At Plataran, _influencers_ will also experience the feel of having breakfast accompanied by _sunrise_ and stunning views of Labuan Bajo.

In addition, participants will also stay at Meruorah Labuan Bajo which is the venue for the ASEAN Summit in May 2023. Apart from good standard hotel facilities, exotic views of the waters of the Flores Sea are also the belle of Meruorah.

It seems to be a gateway to adventure exploring the islands around Labuan Bajo. The _influencer_ participants will share their experiences and excitement during their trip in Labuan Bajo with their _followers_ in India by uploading them to social media and it is hoped that this will inspire potential tourists from India to travel in Indonesia, especially Labuan Bajo//VOI