Indonesia to take part in diving resort expo in China

JAKARTA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian diving operators will participate in the Diving Resort Travel (DRT) Shanghai expo slated for April 6-8, which is aimed at attracting foreign tourists to come and experience its diving spots, an official of the Tourism Ministry said on Tuesday.

"Those diving operators would introduce Indonesia's existing and new diving spots," said Vincentius Jemadu, who is in charge of exploring tourism market in China.

He added that Indonesia's exhibits in the DRT Shanghai expo would take a theme of Phinisi traditional boat, and present Bali traditional and cultural performances, Indonesian coffees and traditional foods which were highly recognized by Chinese people.

Jemadu said that Indonesia has plenty of diving resorts, some of them have been internationally awarded as best resorts in the world, such as Raja Ampat, Komodo Island, Derawan, Togean, Wakatobi, Gili Air and Bunaken.

"All of those spots can be heavens for divers. They can dive there in any season throughout the year," Jemadu added.

With vast coral reef areas spanning from westernmost to easternmost tips of the world's largest tropical archipelago country, Indonesia has many places that can be developed into diving resorts, he said.

Indonesia now has developed 55 destinations with over 1,500 diving resorts across the country, Jemadu said.

Attracting potential tourists with diving and related marine activities was part of the ministry's efforts to receive 17 million foreign visitors this year. Enditem