The Indonesian capital Jakarta has been chosen as host of next year’s Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart.
The event is slated to attract upwards of 600 vendors from more than 30 countries and up to 1,000 buyers, tourism minister Arief Yahya said.
"As host, we will feel a direct economic impact from the participants’ expenses, and also through international media exposure."
Arief expects more than 100 members of the media will cover the event.
"We will promote the great potential of Indonesia’s tourism sector, as well as the country’s abundance of natural beauty, culture and handicrafts," Arief added, and it will also give extra thrust to the country’s current ‘Wonderful Indonesia’ campaign.
Indonesia previously hosted the event twice in the 1980s and PATA’s annual conference in 1963, 1974 and 2003.
Several Indonesian companies will have a presence at this year’s PATA Travel Mart which takes place next week in Bangalore, India.
Founded more than 60 years ago, PATA comprises government agencies, tourism associations, airlines, suppliers and travel companies with the aim of driving travel and tourism development and strategy in the Asia Pacific region.
