TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is recognized as ASEAN's Favorite Destination in Malaysia's largest travel exhibition, MATTA Fair 2015. The event is held at the Putra World Trade Centre building in Kuala Lumpur from September 4 to 6, 2015.

I Gde Pitana, deputy of foreign tourism marketing at the Ministry of Tourism on Thursday, September 3, said he would lead the Indonesian delegates to accept the award.

Pitana plans to bring 80 tourism industry players and 10 tourism department chiefs along.

MATTA is short for Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents. The MATTA Fair is one of the most prestigious tourism exhibitions in the ASEAN region, followed by tourism agents from different countries.

Pitana said that as a country recognized to be ASEAN's favorite travel destination, the Indonesian pavilion will showcase an array of new attraction aspects as the world's largest archipelago. He hopes that by taking part in the event, Indonesia can bring tourists one step closer to the country's hospitality and traditions.

The pavilion will demonstrate the diversity of tourist destinations in Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and Papua. The delegates, comprising of travel agents, hotels and tourism agencies, will interact directly with visitors and customers from Malaysia in the 207-square-meters booth.

"Last year the number of Malaysian tourists visiting Indonesia reached 1,276 million. This year, we are targeting to raise that number to 1.7 million," he said.

ANTARA | RR