TheIndonesia Trade, Tourism, and Investment Forum, organized by the Indonesian Embassy in China together with its Consulates General in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, with the aim of letting Chinese tourists, businessmen and investors know more about the country, was held in Beijing on May 18.

"In 2011, about 770,000 Chinese tourists visited Indonesia, increasing by some 17 percent year-on-year," said Imron Cotan, Indonesian Ambassador to China, at a press conference held during the forum, "Indonesia's cultural heritage is unique - totally different from other countries in Southeast Asia, and we hope that the forum can boost further cooperation in tourism between Indonesia and China, attract more travelers from China to visit Indonesia as well as promote people-to-people exchanges on both sides."

According to a target fixed byIndonesia's tourism department, the number of Chinese tourists to Indonesia will increase to one million by 2014, more than double the figure in 2010.

In support of the development ofIndonesia's tourism industry, GarudaIndonesiais deeply digging Chinese market. "As the sole airline having direct flights fromChinatoJakarta, GarudaIndonesiaincreased the frequency of its flights toBeijing,ShanghaiandGuangzhouat the end of 2011. The frequency of direct flight between Beijing and Jakarta grew from 3 times to 5 times per week, and the frequency of direct flights from Shanghai to Jakarta will be adjusted to one flight per day replacing the current 4 times per week," explained Elaine Ying, sales and marketing manager of Garuda Indonesia.

In addition, Ying said that Garuda Indonesia has recently upgraded its menu in business class.