Indonesia sends mission to take part in Thailand's Umbrella Festival

JAKARTA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia sent a mission to take part in Thailand's annual Bo Sang Umbrella Festival slated for Jan. 19 to 21 in Chiang Mai, Deputy Tourism Minister for International Marketing I Gde Pitana said here on Thursday.

Thailand's umbrella festival is a "sister" event of Indonesia's Umbrella Festival (FPI) held periodically in Indonesia's Central Java province's city of Surakarta, Pitana said.

"The event was expected to further expand Indonesia-Thailand cultural ties, attracting more foreign tourists to visit the FPI. The idea of sister festival was expected to bring positive impacts to tourism in both countries," he said.

Thailand's three-day Umbrella Festival is being held at Bor Sang village located in San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai province. The festival has been running in the last 35 years, attracting a large number of foreign tourists every year.

The Indonesia mission will hold a pavilion throughout the festival, promoting the nation's tourist destinations and showcasing Indonesia's traditional attractions.

Speaking on the same occasion, Indonesia Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said that the nation expected to attract more Thai tourists this year through its presence in the festival.

The ministry has set this year's target of 163,000 Thai tourists among the overall foreign tourist arrival target of 17 million. Enditem