Japan Launches Six Destinations For Indonesian Tourists

JAKARTA, March 3 (Antara) - Japan National Tourism Organization's (JNTO) representative in Jakarta has launched six new destinations, including Kyushu, Okinawa, Setouchi, Tohoku, Wakayama, and Hokaido for Indonesian tourists, Hideki Tomiyoka, the agency's executive director said here on Thursday. While Osaka and Tokyo have been Indonesian's favorites, Japan also has six other attractive regions for tourists who want to experience the country's four seasons, he added in a press conference in Jakarta. The growth of Indonesians travellers to Japan has soared by 31.2 percent with 271,000 visitors recorded last year, Tomiyoka pointed out that the rise was much contributed by Muslim travelers. Japan's tourism organization has taken more serious actions to promote the country as a moslem-friendly destination, mainly for Indonesians. "There are many restaurants in Tokyo, for example, which have already put halal labels on their food products, Tomiyoka noted. The halal certification is yet to be regulated by the government. However there has been a Muslim association in the country that has already been engaged with the issue, Tomiyoka added without giving further details. Halal is a label refered to any product, mainly foods and drinks allowed for Muslims. The number of Indonesia's "free independent traveler" (FIT), a term referred to tourist not accompanied by travel agent, is recorded to increase every year, Susanti, the organization's manager said. The rise has proven that Indonesia is a potential market for Japan's tourism. Not only by the organization's executive director and manager Kristiana Susanti, the launching was also attended by representatives from airlines, including Garuda Indonesia, Cathay Pacific, All Nippon Airways, and Singapore Airlines. A deputy division head of Indonesia's national bank, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), Okki Rushartomo also showed up at the event. Affiliated with Japan Tourism Agency and Ministry of Land, Infrastucture, Transport, and Tourism, the organization has set up its official representative in Indonesia since 2014. The organization's main mission is to promote Japan's tourism destinations to Indonesians. The launching event is also used to promote this year's Japan Travel Festival which is held in Kota Kasablanka, Jakarta, starting from March 3 until 5. The three days festival will feature four Indonesian bloggers. including Travel Junkie and Febrian also prominent performers such as Afghan and Sandra Dewi.