Land of Mysteries & Excitements
Made up of thousands of volcanic islands, Indonesia – a Southeast Asian nation – has shown excellent progress in tourism. Home to hundreds of ethnic groups, it is world-famous for its stunning beaches, live volcanoes, Komodo dragons and elephants, orangutans and tigers roaming in jungles. As the island of Java represents Indonesia’s vibrant, sprawling culture, Jakarta and Yogyakarta are known for fun and traditions.
By His Excellency Ridwan Hassan, Consul General in Dubai, Republic of Indonesia
Holding a distinguished vision, the current administration is focused on sovereignty in political, economy and cultural area. “Indonesia Progresses” has been the basic theme of all positions. Narrowing down to our priority on international relations, Indonesia focuses on maintaining sovereignty, protecting all of Indonesian citizens abroad, boosting economic diplomacy, and increasing Indonesia’s role in regional and global arenas
My Efforts towards Cordial Relations
Indonesian Consulate in Dubai focuses on improving economic cooperation between the two countries. The Consulate has been actively supporting the participation of business entities on various trade exhibitions in Dubai, in order to promote Indonesia’s innovation and diversification in trading products and businesses. Also, the Consulate is keen on facilitating various business forums to match any business opportunities between Indonesia and Dubai. Indonesian Consulate, collaborating with Indonesia Trade and Promotion Center (ITPC) Dubai, facilitates potential buyers from Dubai and Northern Emirates to attend “Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI)”, an annual exhibition on trade, tourism and investment sectors that have been creating many profitable business deals.
Tourism Opportunities Tourism industry is the 4th largest sector that supports Indonesian economy to grow, among goods and services export sector. For the record, tourism in Indonesia is ranked as the ninth-fastest growing sector in the world, the third-fastest growing in Asia and the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia. Indonesia has targeted to attract about 20 million visitors by 2019. Some of its main tourism destinations include the following:
Medan: This is the largest city in Sumatra Island, and due to its ethnically diverse population, it is known for scrumptious delectable culinary spots, rich with many flavours. Some examples include Bolu Meranti, Bika Ambon Zulayka, the Durian fruit or cake, and the sweet passion fruit Markisa. Here, one may also visit the Maimoon Palace that gives a glimpse of the royal heritage. Other attractions include Lake Toba, the Samosir Island, Berastagi.
Raja Ampat: For those who are looking for a pristine paradise full of Mother Nature and warm friendly people, Raja Ampat is full of exceptional, beautiful, enchanting, magnificent, and fascinating wonders. This island-regency in West Papua Province holds spectacular wonders above and beyond its waters, on the land and amidst the thick jungles. Raja Ampat literally means ‘The Four Kings’. It is an archipelago comprising more than 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool.
The sheer number and diversity of marine life at Raja Ampat and its huge pristine coral reef systems are a fascinating experience for scuba divers and snorkelers, as pigmy seahorses, Manta Rays, wobbegongs, schools of Tuna fish, giant trevallies, snappers, batfish, and barracudas swim around you.
Bali: Known as the Land of the Gods, Bali is famous for its natural beauty enhanced by looming volcanoes and lush terraced rice fields that offer visitors peace and serenity. Bali is also considered a surfers’ paradise. It is full of dramatic dances, colorful ceremonies, arts, crafts, intricately carved temples, luxurious beach resorts and exciting nightlife. As Bali is located 8 degrees south of the equator, its climate is typical tropical, warm and humid all year round with only two main distinctive seasons: Dry Season and Rainy Season. So visitors may find the several peaks over 3,000 meters above sea levels around Bali’s central mountains cooler and worth exploring.
Then, Bali’s white beaches and a variety of water sports are a favourite destination for family holidays, where visitors would definitely like banana boats, parasailing or jet skiing, swimming or sunbathing by the sea. Mountain climbers would like Gunung Agung and Mount Batur. One may also enjoy the dramatic Kecak dance – telling the story of Ramayana wherein prince Rama’s wife, Sita, is abducted by the ogre Rahwana – in the open air on a cliff, by Uluwatu temple. The sun slowly lowering in the sea over the horizon beyond this beautiful temple is an unforgettable experience for the visitors. After a day’s tiring explorations, one must relax and rejuvenate for the next day at world-famous Balinese spas found all over Bali. Balinese spa products are not only to be enjoyed during the stay, but can also be brought home as souvenirs.
Banyuwangi: Literally meaning Aromatic Water, it is the eastern-most city of Java Island, is full of lush green, and is also the most densely populated island. Its southern beaches are brushed by the Indian Ocean, and it owns the impressive Mt Raung (3,282 meters) and Mt Merapi (2,800 meters) above sea level. Here, one may watch wild animals roam freely in the Alas Purwo Reserve, trek through the savannah of Baluran, or revel on the Pulau Merah or G-Land beach or Sukamade Beach. Visitors who hike up Banyuwangi, also find it amazing that blue flames spring out from the yellow sulphurous rocks that are cut and gathered manually by traditional miners.
Bintan: Known for its high-end resorts, world-class golf courses, and magnificent coastal beauty, it is considered a heavenly getaway for leisure and adventure seekers. It is also world-famous for organizing marathons, triathlons, extreme sports and golf challenges. Some of the famous locations at Bintan include the stunning Bintan Lagoon Resort, Penyengat Island, Trikora Beach and Senggarang and Sebung Village. Bintan Lagoon Resort covers 23,000 hectares of sandy white coast facing the South China Sea. There are currently ten independent beach resorts, four designer golf courses, as well as a range of recreational facilities and attractions located within the fully. integrated Bintan Resorts. Penyengat Island holds historical monuments and relics of the past, an interesting blend of Javanese and Dutch architecture, and the Sultan of Riau Grand Mosque. Trikora Beach is interesting for its breathtaking long stretch clear crystal water beaches, and picturesque and stunning surroundings. Senggarang and Sebung Village is a small fishing village filled with rows of fishermen’s stilt houses and ancient Chinese temples, and is famous for seafood served in Kelong-style restaurants.
Jakarta: It is the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia, home to people with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and is a conglomeration of villages known as kampung. Here, one would find the iconic landmarks such as Monas, The Merdeka Palace, The National Museum, Istiqlal Mosque, The Jakarta Cathedral and Monumen Selamat Datang or the welcome monument widely renowned as Bunderan HI. Visitors would also enjoy the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol or Ancol Dreamland containing Dufan Theme park, Seaworld, Atlantis Water Adventure Park, Ecopark, Art market, etc.
Yogyakarta: Together with its twin city Surakarta (Solo), Yogyakarta is the cradle of civilization on Java. It is famous for the magnificent temples of Borobudur and Prambanan in the 8th and 9th century and the Mataram kingdom of the 16th and 17th century. Visitors would certainly enjoy the living museum of The Kraton or The Keraton (Sultan’s Palace), the famous Alun Alun, or even silversmiths working at amazing jewellery at Kotagede. Parangtritis, Indrayanti, Pok Tunggal, Siung, Krakal, and Jogan beaches are located here. Puncak Becici, Pinus Pengger, and Jurang Tembelan are also counted among the exciting backto-nature destinations in Yogyak
Bandung: It is known worldwide for the historic Bandung Conference, also known as the first Asian–African Conference in 1955, in which 29 newly independent countries from the two continents representing over half of the world’s population met, including the legendary leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Prime Minister Zhou En Lai of China and Indonesia’s President Soekarno. Bandung is also famous first as a University City, most prominently known for its Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), from where Indonesia’s first President Soekarno graduated, and then also as a Creative City, where millennials and students are encouraged to express their exuberant creativity in art, music and innovative digital creations Makassar: The largest city in eastern Indonesia, it is Indonesia’s busy air hub, connecting Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan in the west with Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Papua in the east. Visitors interested in Makassar’s history must visit Fort Rotterdam, which is a well-preserved bastion from the Gowa Sultanate, dated back to the 17th century. It also owns the Losari Beach and an iconic dessert called Es Pisang Ijo, which is a banana wrapped in thin green dough, shaved ice, some syrup and sweetened condensed milk.
