Sirima Eamtako, Phnom Penh (2011-01-24)

INDONESIA is proving to be a fast-growing tourist destination for Riyadh-based Unique Choice who recently appointed a Jakarta-based resident director for hotel contracting from February 1 just after it started selling the country slightly over a year ago.

CEO Zawfir Ziard said the tour operator sent 1,800 passengers to Indonesia in 2010, and anticipates the Middle East market to the country to grow to 2,000 pax this year.

He added that last year's passenger numbers to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand were 16,000, 6,000 and 3,000 respectively, with expectations of a 60 per cent growth in 2011.

Driving the numbers were the Middle East's strong economy and increased air links to the three countries, explained Zawfir.

Unique's clientele is mainly leisure traffic from the UAE, Qatar and Oman.