Benefits Of Indonesian Products, Culture, And Tourism Promotion In Istanbul Turkey

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - Product promotion is something that must be done every day, so that sales profits can be achieved. Moreover, the condition of the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.

Social restriction activities are now relaxed again, while still implementing health protocols. Every economic sector is recovering one by one, including Indonesia's tourism and cultural sectors. This is an opportunity for the Indonesian economy to revive, one of the ways is to actively carry out promotions.

Selling products abroad is a potential profit that needs to be achieved. There is a greater value when MSMEs are able to promote their products abroad. Not only local products, but also Indonesian cultural and tourism products. The promotion of Indonesian products, culture, and tourism will certainly trigger the interest of foreign tourists to come to Indonesia. Promotion of the right product will bring multiple benefits.

Every year, tourists visiting Istanbul are increasing. Because the city of Istanbul has historical tourist destinations that are quite captivating. As of October 2022, the number of tourists coming to Istanbul has increased by 37 percent compared to the previous year.

Istanbul receives tourists from 194 countries. With details of tourists from five countries the most came from Russia with 11.7 percent, Germany 7.33 percent, Iran 5.97 percent, the United States 4.57 percent, and England 3.94 percent. Istanbul is a very strategic location to introduce Indonesian products, culture, and tourism internationally.

It turns out that on the other hand, Indonesia also has quite a lot of tourist arrivals from Turkey. During 2019, Turkish tourists to Indonesia reached 23,883 people. An increase of 14.5 percent from the previous year which was 20,861 people. Turks are famous for picnicking and traveling.

Turkey's condition, which is full of tourist in and out, is a very suitable place and has high-profit potential if Indonesian MSMEs carry out product promotions in Istanbul. However, how?

So far, the Indonesian Consulate General in Turkey has supported bazaar or expo activities for Indonesian economic, cultural, and tourism exhibitions. In collaboration with various stakeholders and the Indonesian diaspora, MSME and tourism products can be further recognized in various countries, through Istanbul as the entry point. In 2023, the Indonesian Diaspora will hold the Ramazan Bazaar in Turkey. A free and open Ramadan festival to the public in Galataport, Istanbul City.

Istanbul is a city located between two continents, namely Asia and Europe. It is an attractive place for locals to live in, as well as for foreign tourists to visit. Istanbul has a very high economic potential. When calculated on an average basis, Istanbul's purchasing power in 2021 is 49,240 Turkish Lira, a much larger amount than the average Turkish state itself, which is 33,400 Lira.

People who live and come to Istanbul generally have a character who likes picnics and shopping. Therefore, there is one very interesting place in Istanbul that has a fairly high number of visits per day. Galataport, is a cruise ship terminal that has various tourist spots and complete facilities.

"One of the problems of Indonesian MSMEs in being able to go international is the lack of knowing the target market. Through participating in exhibitions or business matching, it is actually not only a ground for marketing products but should also be a medium to get to know the market so that it becomes a (long-term) sustainable business. "The Ramadan Bazaar which will be held in Galataport is one of the areas that Indonesian MSMEs can use to get to know the Turkish market/consumers, and also to market their products," said Septa Ermalia, Chief Executive of Ramazan Bazaar 2023, in a statement, Monday, February 20.

Galataport is a very strategic and profitable place to promote products. Ramazan Bazaar is open to Indonesian MSMEs who want to market their products overseas. The opportunity to be recognized by foreign markets is very large, as well as getting many times the profit from domestic sales.

Especially during the month of Ramadan, consumption in Istanbul is getting higher. The high interest of Istanbul residents in culinary, fashion, and home décor is an opportunity to introduce creative products from Indonesian MSMEs. Apart from introducing MSME products, the Ramadhan Bazaar is also an opportunity to introduce Indonesian tourist destinations, so that visitors are interested in coming to Indonesia.

"One of the problems of Indonesian MSMEs in being able to go international is the lack of knowing the target market. Through participating in exhibitions or business matching, it is actually not only a ground for marketing products, but should also be a medium to get to know the market so that it becomes a (long-term) sustainable business. "The Ramadan Bazaar which will be held in Galataport is one of the areas that can be utilized by Indonesian MSMEs to get to know the Turkish market/consumers, and also to market their products," explained Septa.

Indonesian MSMEs can register with the Nimet Group to participate in product promotions at the Ramazan Bazaar. If unable to attend or lack of resources to attend in person at the Bazaar, Nimet Group also provides product display services with the terms and conditions that apply.