Azerbaijan, Indonesia seek to increase tourist flow

/By Azernews/

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan and Indonesia are keen to increase the tourist flow between the two friendly countries.

Indonesian Ambassador to Baku Guzman Bay Fananie spoke about the tourism opportunities between the two countries at an event, dedicated to the 15th International Tourism Exhibition in Baku, bringing together more than 200 companies presenting various areas of tourism.

The Indonesian leadership attaches great importance to the development of tourism with Azerbaijan. Therefore Indonesia is taking part in the international exhibition in Baku, according to the envoy.

Fananie expressed hope that Indonesia with a population of over 250 million people will see more Azerbaijani tourists in the coming years, while more Indonesian tourists will choose Azerbaijan as a tourism destination.

Tourism, which accounts for approximately four percent in the Indonesian economy, is an important sector for the country, as well as a significant source of foreign exchange revenues.

While Bali is usually the destination most familiar to foreign visitors, there is a wealth of other top tourist attractions in Indonesia to discover in this vast and varied country.

Indonesian Deputy Assistant for Industry, Trade, Tourism and Creative Economy Muchammad Zulkarnain told local media that Azerbaijani tourists prefer to rest at the seaside with a variety of entertainment, and Indonesia can offer it to them.

“Annually Indonesia is visited by about 480 Azerbaijani tourists and the island of Bali is the most popular holiday destination. But we have other islands such as Papua, Komodo, the Moluccas Islands and Anobon, where you can also find a lot of interesting things,” he said noting the importance of opening direct flights between Azerbaijan and Indonesia.

He further spoke about the possibility of cooperation in training of personnel in the field of tourism.

"Azerbaijanis could go to Indonesia to learn spa procedures and obtain certificates. Training also can be carried out here for local workers. Currently, about 20 Indonesians work in Azerbaijan in tourism sector," the deputy assistant said.

Since last November, the country has simplified visa for Azerbaijani citizens and now Azerbaijanis do not need a visa for entering the country as tourists for a month.

The Azerbaijani embassy in Indonesia earlier reported that Azerbaijan also plans to introduce a simplified visa regime for citizens of Indonesia, and the work in this direction is underway.