TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - To meet the target of having 20 million visits from foreign tourists by 2019, the Tourism Ministry is holding the Wonderful Indonesia Culinary & Shopping Festival (WICSF) 2016.
The event is being held in 85 shopping centers in 16 cities in 12 provinces. The Ministry organizes the event with the help of the Indonesian Shopping Center Managers' Association (APPBI).
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said that shopping and dining account for 30 percent of what tourists spend during their travels. The two industries also contribute 32 percent to Indonesia's creative economy sector, which is worth around Rp200 trillion.
"This event is a good promotional tool that can attract local and foreign travelers," Arief said when opening the WICSF 2016 in Jakarta yesterday, September 27.
APPBI chairman Stefanus Ridwan said the WICSF 2016 is expected to boost the number of mall visitors by 20 percent and raise transaction value by 15 percent. "The WICSF also exhibits local products and crafts, cooking shows, and offers shopping tours with attractive discounts," he said.
The Tourism Ministry is planning to hold the WICSF every year.
