The Indonesian tourism ministry plans to establish a digital platform to boost awareness of its tourism product and promote local tourism businesses.
Tourism minister Arief Yahya said Travel X-change Indonesia will launch on August 17 this year, which is the country’s independence day holiday.
Minister Arief unveiled it during a visit to Australia to study Australia’s digital marketplace platform Travel X-change Australia.
"I will prove that the use of digital technology is going to take Indonesian tourism to a new level," Arief said.
It will function as a one-stop marketplace for travel packages offered by the travel trade.
A promotional campaign will start in earnest to encourage traditional travel agencies to market their products on the site.
The minister said it is a timely opportunity for Indonesia’s travel industry to get online.
"Traditional travel agents will be left behind if they do not take this opportunity," Arief said.
The tourism ministry will also conduct training in website design for agents which do not yet have an online presence.
