Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Tourism Ministry and the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF) have partnered with seven Chinese travel agencies to expand marketing of tour packages for Labuan Bajo and Flores.
Yulia, the ministry’s assistant deputy for international tourism marketing, said in Labuan Bajo on Saturday that China remained a key market with significant growth potential for Indonesian destinations.
Chinese tourist arrivals in Indonesia reached 1.3 million in 2025. By August 2026, arrivals had exceeded 1 million, up 16.46 percent from the same period last year, she said.
The initiative was organized through the Wonderful Indonesia Business Matching for Chinese Travel Agents program in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai District, East Nusa Tenggara Province.
Seven participating agencies included China Bamboo Garden, Hangzhou China Travel Service, GZL, BOBO Travel, China International Travel Service (Jiangsu), Shenzhen Dreamka and Charm Deer.
The 14 local businesses represented accommodation providers, travel agencies, tour-boat operators and sea transportation services.
Yulia said she hoped the business-matching event would generate concrete partnerships between Chinese travel agencies and local operators, bringing more Indonesian tourism products into packages marketed in China.
Petrus Antonius Rasyid, head of West Manggarai’s tourism, creative economy and culture office, welcomed the central government’s initiative to connect local businesses directly with Chinese travel agencies.
The partnerships could broaden promotional reach and create opportunities to increase foreign tourist arrivals in Labuan Bajo, he said.
BPOLBF Acting President Director Andhy MT Marpaung said firsthand experience of destinations was essential to persuading travel agencies to develop packages tailored to Chinese tourists.
“Through this familiarization trip, travel agents can experience Labuan Bajo firsthand rather than just see it in photos, making their tour packages more compelling,” Andhy said.
He urged travel agencies to expand their itineraries beyond Komodo and Padar islands to include Flores’ diverse natural and cultural attractions.
Broader itineraries could encourage tourists to stay longer and spread tourism revenue to communities across more areas of Flores.
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Translator: Kornelis Kaha, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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