Indonesians remain enchanted by Paris

DESPITE visa challenges, a lack of French NTO presence and no direct flights, France's charms have not worn off for Indonesia as travel consultants report growing demand for the European destination.

Elok Tour managing director, Pauline Suharno, said Paris was “still a favourite” destination for Indonesian travellers.

Genta Tours’ owner, Dharmawan Rahardja, pointed out: “Many travellers, who have visited Paris as part of a Europe tour, come back again, spending a few days just in France to see more of the country…The destination has also attracted incentives.”

Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) managing director, Paul Roll, called Indonesia a discrete market, as it had grown significantly despite obstacles. “Four years ago, we tried to bring a Parisian delegation to Indonesia but we failed (because there was not enough interest from the industry). This year, we came with Parisian companies led by large department stores (Printemps and Galeries Lafayette).”

“Indonesian tour operators and retailers have told us their market (to France) has been growing 20 per cent (in the last couple of years). Value added tax (receipts) has shown double-digit growth and the department stores list Indonesia (as a) top 10 (source market). All this shows that the Indonesian market is growing well,” he explained.  

The CVB estimates Indonesians accounted for 65,000 arrivals last year, out of the total 29 million arrivals to Paris.

Asked if the CVB had a target for Indonesian arrivals, Roll said the bureau would focus on quality not quantity. “Paris is a small city and we want to keep the city lively, so we don’t want a city (full of) tourists and no locals. It is a challenge to develop business while at the same time preserving our personality…We want visitors that fit our culture, prices and what we have to offer.”

Meanwhile, Elok Tour’s Pauline said: “The one thing we would like from the French government is to facilitate travellers’ needs by easing the visa application process at the Jakarta embassy.”

Sourced: ttgasia