East Java Offers Agricultural Tourism Investment To Taiwan

Surabaya, E Java, April 10 (Antara) - The East Java Regional Administration had promoted investment in agricultural tourism to a business delegation from Taiwan in an effort to increase cooperation between Indonesia and the region. "We were trying to develop the tourism sector, which will help increase the total tourist visits to East Java," the Deputy Governor of East Java Saifullah Yusuf said after a meeting with the Taiwanese business person here on Thursday. According to Saifullah, several agricultural tourism sites that had not developed as yet were located in Tea Park, Jatim Park, Durian Bhakti Alam Park, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park and other nature tourism sites. Saifullah said the agricultural activities that will be interesting for foreign tourists include harvesting tea or paddy in the field. "The tourism activities will be scheduled according to the harvest time. The rare and unique activity of harvesting will be interesting for foreign tourists," Saifullah remarked. According to Saifullah, East Java was also interested in agricultural technology transfer. To improve the relation between the regions, Saifullah said communication development was required by establishing more direct flights between Surabaya and Taiwan. "There were only two flights that serve the route. We hope more flights will be added to the schedule to support the flow of business," the Deputy Governor added. The Chairman of the Taiwan business delegation, Leo Vang, voiced his appreciation of the agricultural tourism development plan in East Java to attract foreign tourists, particularly from Taiwan. He admitted several agricultural sites in Taiwan had developed to become recreation and study centers. "The Taiwanese people`s interest in the agricultural sector was not only limited to producing valuable items for the people but also to help make them study tourism centers," Leo said.