VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism has invited nine Travel Agents/Tour Operators of Malaysia and one companion from the representative of VITO (Visit Indonesia Tourism Officer) in Malaysia to make a familiarization trip to Banyuwangi in East Java, and Bali.

"The Fam Trip was held on June 23-29, 2019 in order to support the Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) Event in 2019," said head of subdivision of area IV / A (Malaysia Peninsula) of the ministry's regional II, Nurdiansyah when contacted from Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

In addition to supporting by bringing nine Malaysian buyers to attend BBTF 2019, this Fam Trip also aims to increase sales of Banyuwangi and Bali tour packages for the Malaysian market while increasing awareness of those destinations.

"Fam Trip is also an effort of the Ministry of Tourism to maintain the continuity of the Kuala Lumpur - Banyuwangi international direct flight route by Citilink (a subsidiary to the Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia), which has been opened since December 19, 2018," he said.

He said in Fam Trip the participants were invited to get to know interesting tourist and culinary objects and try some accommodation options at the destination.

A number of Banyuwangi destinations visited are De Djawatan, Aamdani Restaurant, Luminor Hotel, Ijen Crater, Vienna Pondok Restaurant, Osing Tourism Village, Osing Deles Souvenir Center and Ikan Bakar Pesona Restaurant

While the Bali destinations visited are Ketapang-Gilimanuk Harbor, Kurnia Village Restaurant, Tanah Lot Temple, Surya Mandala Cultural Park, Warung Subak Pekendungan, Infinity8 Hotel Nusa Dua.

Pandawa Beach, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, New Beranda Resto and Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center are the visited locations of BBTF, in addition to Kuta Plaza Restaurant and Kenja (farewell cocktail party), Bebek Bengil Restaurant, Souvenir Center "The Basket" and Bali Surf Outlet

"Overall, the implementation of the Fam Trip activities for BBTF 2019 Support for TA / TO Malaysia went well and smoothly. The participants also said they were happy because they had been introduced to a new destination, namely Banyuwangi with the Ijen crater and its blue fire," he said.

He said the introduction and promotion of tourist destinations in Banyuwangi for the Malaysian market is very important as an alternative tourist destination mostly to Jakarta, Batam, Bali, Medan, Bandung and others. (ant)