TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As many as 16 French journalists visited Jakarta, Thousand Islands, Bandung and Bali from April 29 to May 6, 2016. Accompanying the journalists was Country Manager Visit Indonesia Tourism Officer (VITO) Eka Moncarre and Indonesian Embassy staff Esther Polhaupessy.

Eka Moncarre said that the trip was arranged so that French journalists would publish their experience when visiting Indonesia in magazines, newspapers and other forms of publication.

Anna David with Courrier de Gironde, Bordeaux, said that Indonesia was a contrast and constant country.

"I'm very lucky to have a chance to visit Bandung with diverse and friendly people," she said.

According to Anna, Jakarta is a fast growing metropolitan city, while Bali with its temples and rice fields managed to captivate the participants

"One thing for sure, everyone must visit Indonesia," Anna suggested.

Another journalist Evelyne Dreyfus with "Tout pour les femmes" and JFM Radio said that Indonesia had extensive territories with diverse ethnicities. Everyline admitted that not only she enjoyed the trip, but also she learned about humanity and sociology.

"Indonesian tourism must be protected so that it would not be harmed by mass tourism," Evelyne added.

Nia Niscaya, director of tourism market development for Europe, Middle East, United States and Africa at the Tourism Ministry, said that the trip was a part of the strategy to boost the number of French tourists visiting Indonesia. Nia revealed that the Ministry had worked with the Indonesian Embassy in Paris to participate in tourism fairs in France and opened VITO representative office in Paris.

This year, it is expected that the tourism sector will attract 12 million foreign tourists and contribute US$12.7 billion to the state income. In addition to promoting Wonderful Indonesia to 11 priority countries, Indonesia would also approach the country through culinary, Nia explained.

The Tourism Ministry has set a target to attract as many as 250,000 French tourists to visit Indonesia this year, which is higher than last year's target at 210,000 tourists.

ANTARA