Diverse experiences and affordable ground services are endearing Indonesia’s Yogyakarta to business event planners, say destination specialists at last week’s Indonesia International Mice Expo (IIME) in Jakarta.
Rudy Po, president and director of Cosmo Holidays Indonesia, has recorded greater demand for Yogyakarta over the last two years, some from repeat clients and others from new groups that desire fresh experiences.
Po elaborated: “Yogyakarta appeals to corporates because of its cultural attractions and experiential tourism, such as taking part in a batik workshop or temple hopping.”
Shaharin Bin Samsuri, manager of KAA Travel & Tours, Malaysia reported similar booking patterns. He shared: “Corporates in Malaysia are no longer looking at Bali or Jakarta because they have become too touristy. They are more interested in Indonesia’s second-tier destinations, such as Yogyakarta and Surabaya.”
Shaharin added: “Surabaya is more popular, but since Yogyakarta is cheaper we see more corporates choosing Yogyakarta for incentive programmes.”
This growing demand has prompted KAA Travel & Tours to develop more Yogyakarta packages, offering clients the opportunity to team-build in Prambanan’s backyard or have dinner on Prambanan temple grounds followed by a Ramayana dance performance.
For Indonesian corporate buyer Aphul Juliawan, general affair manager of Isna Agung Mandiri, Yogyakarta is an ideal destination thanks to its diverse tours and activities and accessibility by airplane, train and bus.
“For Indonesian corporates, train is the best option at the moment because airfares are so expensive,” he explained, adding that corporates are now tightening spend.
Aphul shared that his company is planning to two incentive trips to Yogyakarta and one trip to Semarang this year. “Overall, the total (ground) cost of Yogyakarta and Semarang are similar. But Yogyakarta is more charming, so when we announced that the company will be making a trip to Yogyakarta, our employees were excited,” he said.
