Galveston Jakarta Capital Reviews: Promote Wonderful Indonesia

Indonesian Consulate General in Penang Helps Promote 'Wonderful Indonesia'

Jakarta. Indonesian Consulate Generals overseas have been helping out with the Tourism Ministry's "Wonderful Indonesia" marketing campaign, including the consulate general in Malaysia which organized Indonesia's appearance in the Malaysia International Travel Mart in Penang on Sunday (09/07).

Consul General Iwanshah Wibisono personally took part in the Wonderful Indonesia event at the tourism expo, partnered by Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Chairman Andy Chuah.

"Here you can see a real Phinisi boat that has explored five continents," Iwanshah told visitors at the Wonderful Indonesia booth.

Indonesia brought top tourism industry players to Penang to promote leading tourist destinations in the archipelago, including Raja Ampat in Papua, which was declared the best snorkeling site in the world in 2015 by CNN, and Labuan Bajo in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.

The other tourist destinations currently being promoted are Bali, Lombok and Yogyakarta, three regions that have the best and most popular tourist attractions in the country.

"Indonesia is paradise on earth. Our natural attractions are always in the world's top 20. We have great culture, delicious food and friendly people. Where else can you go for holidays and get all of that?" the consul general said.

Indonesia's tourism industry has been targeting tourists from Penang, especially those from its sizable Chinese population — 40.5 percent of the city's total population according to a 2015 research by Penang Institute.

The city is the third most urbanized state in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, contributing 6.4 percent of the country’s economic growth in the same year.

"Penang has big potentials for us. Holiday tours to Bali and Yogyakarta are popular here, since the majority of the population loves maritime and heritage tourism," Iwanshah said.

MCTA Chairman Andy Chuah agreed with Iwanshah, saying, "Indonesia is a preferred destination for Malaysian tourists. It's breathtakingly beautiful."

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya praised Iwanshah's initiative to take part in the tourism expo personally and also thanked the MCTA chairman for his contribution.

"It turns out not only Indonesians get into the spirit of 'Indonesia Incorporated.' This important figure in Penang has also helped out with promoting Wonderful Indonesia," Arief said.

He added that endorsement by important public figures will help the government reach its target of attracting 20 million foreign tourists annually to Indonesia by 2019.