Bali to host PATA Travel Mart 2007

9/8/2007

DENPASAR : Bali will host this year's PATA (Pacific Air Travel Association) Travel Mart in the Nusa Dua resort area from Sept. 25-28, the organizing committee's spokesperson Ika Nazaruddin said Saturday.

Ika said approximately 1,500 people from more than 50 countries were expected to attend the event.

She said this year's PATA Travel Mart, to be conducted in cooperation with Indonesia's Culture and Tourism Ministry, would be beneficial to the tourism industry in Bali after a drop in business caused by unfavorable travel advisories and a flight ban imposed on Indonesian air carriers flying to European Union countries.

Ika said the tourism industry would use the event to promote tourism-related products and services. It is expected the event will improve Indonesia's image in the international community and encourage foreign tourists to return to the resort island.

Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said more than 420 buyers from 49 countries would take part in the annual event, including new buyers from Fiji, Slovakia and Turkey.