The city of Jakarta will this year stage its largest Arabian Travel Market (ATM) participation doubling its 2002 stand size.

A high-power Jakarta tourism delegation led by Mrs. Aurora Tambunan, Executive Director, Jakarta City Government Tourism Office and Mr. Udin Saefuddin, the Indonesian Culture & Tourism Board`s Deputy for Tourism Affairs will be present at the exhibition to be held at the Airport Expo Dubai from May 6 - 9.

The growth in participation at the Middle East`s premier travel and tourism industry exhibition reflects Jakarta`s successful 2001 and 2002 ATM showings.

Out of the 680 plus business contacts made during ATM, 30 per cent resulted in new business for the Jakarta tourism industries, said Mrs. Tambunan. It is one of the `must exhibit` travel industry shows worldwide.

Indonesia has declared 2003 Marine Tourism year and in keeping with this theme Jakarta`s popular marine tourism destination, Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu), will be the focus of its ATM promotion said Mrs. Tambunan. The islands are one of Indonesia`s more popular tourist attractions, famous for their range of marine tourism activities including diving, snorkelling, fishing and yachting. For Middle East travellers Jakarta offers exciting tourist attractions with a variety of memorable experiences including its arts and culture, ecotourism, heritage and shopping destinations.