8.3.2019 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 18
Destination Indonesia
Support drummed up
Bookings from Germany have taken a hit due to recent disasters, but optimism is
high that Indonesia will soon recover from the doldrums. By Mimi Hudoyo
Sasak musicians perform the traditional gendang beleq (big drum) dance in Lombok
T
he recent string of natural disas-
ters that have hit Indonesia has
likely dealt a blow to forward
bookings from Germany, which
are unusually slow for 1Q2019, but the
Indonesian trade is hopeful that business
will pick up over the course of the year.
Adjie Wahjono, operations manager of
Aneka Kartika Tours & Travel Services,
said: “We are seeing a slow start to the
year, especially for FIT bookings. Usu-
ally, bookings for summer start coming
in November and December, but (as of
January) we have yet to see any surge in
bookings.”
To stimulate bookings, Adjie said some
of the agency’s partners have thrown in
early-bird discounts.
Marika Gloekler, executive manager
product & contracting of Go Vacation
Indonesia, also saw a slow first quarter, at-
tributing this to the lack of booking confi-
dence due to recent natural disasters.
On the other hand, she is seeing “a big
climb (in bookings) for travel in April on-
wards”. She added: “This could mean that
travellers are not cancelling but merely
postponing their trips (to Indonesia).”
Moreover, improving infrastructure
and new products in the country are ex-
pected to attract the interest of German-
speaking markets.
Umberto Cadamuro, COO inbound
of Pacto, said: “The new Ayana Komodo
Resort is capable of generating renewed
interest (in Komodo), and we look for-
ward the opening of the new airport for
Yogyakarta, a destination that shows signs
of enormous growth especially from Eu-
rope”
New Yogyakarta International Airport
(NYIA), currently under construction
to replace the existing Adisutjipto Inter-
national Airport, is targeted to be fully
operational by the end of 2019 with an
annual handling capacity of 15 million
passengers.
With a runway 3,250m long and 45m
wide, as well as four jet bridges and park-
ing stands with 23 slots, NYIA will be able
to receive aircraft such as Boeing 777, Boe-
ing 787, Airbus A330 and Airbus A350.
Overland travel in Indonesia is improv-
ing, with Java now connected by toll roads
from the east to west end, cutting down
overland travel time significantly.
Adjie shared: “Tour operator partners
have also been monitoring the develop-
ment of road constructions. One partner
has been continuously checking on the
progress of (toll roads) across Java.”
While Herman Rukmanadi, managing
director of Bhara Tours and Travel, noted
“increasing enquiries and demand for
East Indonesia, unfortunately connectiv-
ity is still an issue in some places”.
Currency movements and value-for-
money products and services are also lift-
ing optimism of longhaul bookings pick-
ing up.
Umberto said: “The key (draw) for
German-speaking countries is the excep-
tional value for money that we have been
able to provide throughout 2018 given
the great accommodation options avail-
able for any market segment, as well as the
very favourable euro exchange rate against
the rupiah that made us stand positively
against other countries in South-east
Asia.”
Upbeat about bookings from German
speaking countries, Umberto said: “While
it has been a great surprise to see that Aus-
tria is showing a renewed interest in In-
donesia as a holiday destination, the lion’s
share is as usual going to Germany with a
nearly 26 per cent increase in 2018 (com-
pared to 2017).
“For 2019 we already record a +22 per
cent on the books for Germany, so it looks
like we will have another great year ahead.”
Market trends for 2019
Leonardus Nyoman
Director, Flores Exotic Tours
For Flores and Komodo, culture and
adventure travel continue to be hit – but
travellers are (becoming more interested
in) sustainable tourism. They want to
use refillable bottles instead of plastic
ones, for example. They are paying
more attention to supporting the local
economy through local empowerment.
Siggi Neuhaus
General manager, Caraka Travelindo
For Sulawesi, where our company
is based, we have seen growth in
demand for tailor-made, special inter-
est tours such as adventure and bird
watching. So while arrivals may be
less, the high-yielding, niche markets
are up for Sulawesi.
What’s new
Ayana Komodo Resort
Ayana Komodo Resort has opened in Labuan
Bajo, Flores, the gateway to the Komodo Ma-
rine National Park. The 205-key luxury prop-
erty has seven F&B outlets serving Indonesian,
Asian, Japanese and international cuisines.
Facilities include spa, gym, swimming pools,
kids club, private beach and jetty. The hotel
also has a ballroom and meeting spaces.
Another draw is the resort’s own luxury phinisi
ship and boats that cater to guests’ recre-
ational needs.
Artotel Haniman Ubud
A breath of fresh air in the heart of Ubud, Arto-
tel Haniman-Ubud offers 22 boutique studios
across three categories. The hotel also houses From left: Artotel Haniman Ubud; Ayana Komodo Resort
the Full Circle Restaurant by Expat Coffee &
Roastery, a swimming pool and a day spa.
Revivo Bali
Como Uma Canggu
Holistic wellness resort Revivo Bali is made
The new Como Uma Canggu is situated on
Manarai Beach House Bali
Bali’s southern coast – a beachfront destina- up of 16 Balinese-style suites including two
Indonesian lifestyle, F&B and events groups
four-bedroom villas, spa, pool, a 8,000m 2
tion offering views of the soft volcanic sand
Ismaya is sprucing up the social scene in
and rolling waves. Como Uma Canggu has
hybrid fitness area, and a gourmet restaurant
Bali with its first beachfront establishment in
119 rooms, some of which feature court-
that serves up a selection of healthy cuisine.
Nusa Dua. The Manarai Beach House offers
yards and outdoor showers. With surfing
Revivo Bali offers programmes based on
two swimming pools, music and entertain-
being a key attraction in the location, the
individual guest’s needs, with the goal of
ment, and a selection of international and local resort dangles surf lessons for novices to get
achieving holistic healing, as opposed to
dishes at its F&B outlets.
started.
treating specific ailments.
Swiss-Belhotel Pangkalpinang
Swiss-Belhotel International has opened
an upscale property on Bangka Island.
The new-build hotel houses 145 rooms
and suites, a Swiss-Café restaurant, lobby
lounge, wine bar, fitness centre, spa and
an outdoor swimming pool. In addition,
it features three meeting rooms and a
ballroom which can accommodate up to
875 guests.