REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, ABU DHABI -- Indonesia won three awards at once in a prestigious event of tourism, namely World Halal Travel Summit 2015. The awards were given at The Emirates Palace Ballroom, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate (UAE), Tuesday (20/10 ).

Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya, explained that the awards achieved by Indonesia were World's Best Family Friendly Hotel, which was won by Sofyan Betawi Hotel, Jakarta. Additionally, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) won two awards, namely World's Best Halal Honeymoon Destination and World's Best Halal Tourism Destination.

Arief said, this award gave confession that Lombok is a world class halal tourism destination. The award would certainly facilitate Indonesia to invite the Middle East market. According to Arief, the Middle East market was very promising due to tourists from countries in the region were recorded as the biggest spending funds for tours.

"The Middle East market, particularly the UAE, has the most spending, around 1,700 US dollars per people. It was followed by Saudi Arabia about 1,500 US dollars," Aried explained.

Sofyan Hotel Betawi qualified as winner after beating Gloria Hotel Dubai and the Landmark Hotel Dubai. Lombok as the World's Best Halal Honeymoon Destination beat , Abu Dhabi in UAE, Antalya in Turkey, Krabi in Thailand and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

While, Lombok as World's Best Halal Tourism Destination, beat Abu Dhabi, Amman in Jordan, Antalya in Turkey, Egypt in Cairo, Doha in Qatar, Istanbul in Turkey, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Marrakech in Morocco and Tehran in Iran.

There were a total of 14 category of awards. Indonesia managed to enter the finals in 5 categories, namely, World Best Family Friendly Hotel, World Best Cultural Destination, World's Best Culinary Destination, World's Best Halal Honeymoon Destination and World's Best Halal Tourism Destination.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika