The blue seas of Raja Ampat welcomed diving travel agents from Europe and America participating in the Ministry of Tourism’s Famtrip. For nearly two weeks, they were invited to explore the underwater wonders and experience the hospitality of local villages. Raja Ampat is once again being promoted to the international market
Raja Ampat (Outsiders) – Raja Ampat is once again being promoted internationally. Through the Famtrip program, the Ministry of Tourism is inviting dive tour operators from Canada, the UK, Austria, and Italy to experience diving firsthand at this national priority destination.
The Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, stated in a statement on Tuesday (September 23, 2025) that the famtrip series would be held from September 6-17, 2025, in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua. Four dive travel agents participated in the event: Faces of the Sea from Canada, Dive Worldwide from the UK, Tropical Seas Tauch und Fernreisen from Austria, and The Wild Blue from Italy. Made stated that this activity was an effort to strengthen the voice of Indonesia’s marine special interest tourism in the international market.
“Raja Ampat is a priority tourism destination with world-class underwater beauty. In line with the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to promote marine tourism as a leading special interest tourismsegment, this introductory tour is expected to provide international dive travel agents with comprehensive education and experience about the destination,” said Made.
Wisnu Sindhutrisno, Assistant Deputy for International Tourism Marketing III at the Ministry of Tourism, added that this activity introduces Raja Ampat to the international market, particularly the American and European markets, as a diving destination through introductory tours. This is expected to maintain Indonesia’s position as a leading global marine destination.
“The dive tourism segment attracts qualified, special-interest tourists who tend to stay longer. Furthermore, Indonesia boasts unique diving spots spread across the archipelago, worthy of being sought after by divers worldwide, particularly those in the European and American markets,” Wisnu explained.
Wisnu explained that the Raja Ampat famtrip offered two diving experiences: a liveaboard on a modern phinisi boat in collaboration with La Galigo Liveaboard, and a stay at a dive resort in collaboration with Katembe Private Island. Through this diversification of accommodations, dive travel agents are expected to find a variety of potential tour packages to offer to the local tourist market.
In Raja Ampat, participants dive at several popular dive sites, including Blue Magic, Citrus Ridge, Melissa’s Garden, Manta Sandy, and Arborek Jetty. Various coral species and marine life are endemic to Raja Ampat, such as pygmy seahorses and various nudibranchs. Participants also night dive, a night dive to encounter other unique endemic species, such as the Kalabia shark, known as the walking shark, known for its fin-like ability to walk, and the frilled Wobbegong carpet shark, which lives on the seabed.
In addition to diving, the famtrip participants were also invited to visit inhabited villages in the Raja Ampat Islands, namely Sauwandarek and Arborek. They also trekked in the Piaynemo area to view the karst or limestone formations, one of Raja Ampat’s iconic sights.
In addition, famtrip participants were invited to explore Warsambin Village to visit Kalibiru, a river with clear, blue-green water.
