TOURISM INDONESIA MART & EXPO (TIME) 2011 IN LAMPUNG ON SUMATRA

The city of Bandar Lampung at the most southern tip of the island of Sumatra will this year host Indonesia’s annual travel mart: the Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) or Pasar Wisata Indonesia, to be held from October 12^th to 14^th at the Novotel Hotel Lampung.  

TIME is a special event that brings together Indonesia’s sellers to meet international buyers of Indonesia’s tourism products at this special “contract” show. The event will present the best of Indonesian tourism including popular travel destinations, incredible tourism sites, and the latest of Indonesia’s tourism hotels, destinations, airlines and services.

TIME was the first ever, and continues to be the only international travel mart in Indonesia allowing only special Business to Business contacts and negotiations, and is acknowledged by the international travel industry as the perfect meeting place for those who sell Indonesia’s tourism products and services (sellers) to directly meet the international market (buyers) all under one roof.

TIME has long been listed in the calendar of international travel marts together with such prestigious events as ITB Berlin, WTM London, Arabian Travel Mart (ATM), PATA Travel Mart, and similar.

This year marks the 17th edition of the Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME). The event is organized by the Indonesian Tourism Society (Masyarakat Pariwisata Indonesia) and is supported by entire range of tourism stakeholders, including the Ministry of Culture & Tourism, the Provincial Government of Lampung, the Culture & Tourism Office of Lampung Province, Garuda Indonesia  as Official Airline, other supporting airlines , the Indonesia National Air Carriers Association (INACA), the Board of Airline Representatives in Indonesia (BARINDO), the Association of Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA), the Indonesia Hotels and Restaurant Association (PHRI),the  Indonesian Conference and Convention Association (INCCA), with Titan Convex as the event organizer, supported by national and international media.

Last year, when TIME 2010 was staged in Lombok the event recorded a total transaction of US$ 17.8 million, while this year, organizers project an increase of between 15-18% to reach total estimated contracts to a value of US$ 20 million.   

During the signing of the MOU between the Indonesian Tourism Society (Masyarakat Pariwisata Indonesia) and the Culture & Tourism Office of Lampung Province, Chairperson and Steering Committee of TIME 2011, Meity Robot, said that “TIME buyers this year comprise international tour operators, while sellers include hotels, airlines and tourism destination stakeholders,” said Meity.

Over 100 buyers" from 30 countries will be present at this prestigious event, including those from the United States of America, Germany, and Holland. There will also be buyers from new markets for Indonesia such as Slovenia, Slovakia, Greece, the Czech Republic, and Mexico.

Meanwhile, Head of the Culture and Tourism Office, Gatot Hadiutomo , mentioned  that TIME 2011 in Lampung be linked to the annual Mt.  Krakatau Festival , adding that the province is ready to welcome all guests to TIME and the Krakatau  Festival with the thrilling rolling waves of Tanjung Setia beach, the exotic wildlife of Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, the Way Kambas Elephant Reserve, and obviously an unforgettable visit to the mighty Krakatau volcano