Bali, Labuan Bajo, Raja Ampat as Favourite Destinations for Foreign Tourists, Golden Rama Reports

According to the Indonesian travel agency Golden Rama, Bali, Labuan Bajo, and Raja Ampat are the most favoured holiday destinations in Indonesia by foreign tourists thanks to their natural beauty and diving spots.

Golden Rama, a nationally regarded travel agency in Indonesia, stated that three areas in Eastern Indonesia, namely Bali, Labuan Bajo, and Raja Ampat, are the most favourite destinations for foreign tourists who have visited Indonesia.

“The majority [of foreign tourists] would go to Eastern Indonesia, particularly Bali, Raja Ampat, and Labuan Bajo. Until now, everything is still revolving around the tourism spots within Eastern Indonesia,” said the President Director of Golden Rama, Madu Sudono, to the media crew in Jakarta on Monday, 29th of July.

Sudono stated that, based on the database owned by the travel agency, foreign tourists would typically choose to vacation in the Eastern Indonesia region for the latter’s natural beauty and charm. On top of that, most foreign tourists have acknowledged the Eastern Indonesia region for offering some of the most beautiful diving locations in the world, especially Raja Ampat.

“The tourism potential in Eastern Indonesia is extraordinary; the most beautiful diving spot in the world is in Eastern Indonesia,” continued Sudono, echoing an expression he had heard from a few foreign tourists.

Having said that, Sudono did not specify the exact number of foreign tourists who have visited Eastern Indonesia through Golden Rama. Instead, he divulged that these foreign tourists’ countries of origin — the foreign tourists who, in this case, have visited Bali, Labuan Bajo, and Raja Ampat — are mostly Asian countries such as Vietnam and Singapore. In terms of foreign tourists who have been willing to pay for the ‘premium’ vacation package, the majority of them came from European countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and several Middle Eastern countries like the United Arab Emirates.

“Also, we offer [vacation] packages to Raja Ampat at quite a fantastic price; the price is usually above US$16,000 per person, with a period of seven to 10 days,” added Sudono.

Sudono also divulged that the arrival time of foreign tourists, from the travel agency’s observation, is usually divided based on their region of origin. For example, tourists from Europe seem to prefer to visit Indonesia during the winter season in their country. Conversely, tourists from the Middle East seem to prefer to visit Indonesia during the summer in their country.

Lastly, Sudono expressed his wish that, in the future, more socialisation about the potential of tourist attractions in Indonesia will be more extensive so that foreign tourists would not only acknowledge Bali, Labuan Bajo, and Raja Ampat as their preferred holiday destinations.

“Indeed, many people in Europe and America think Indonesia is within Bali [and not the other way around]. That has been etched in their minds, so it is homework [for the Indonesian government]. In addition, there needs to be consistency from the government to show that Indonesia is not within Bali,” remarked Sudono.