ITB Asia 2024 Reaches Largest Business Meeting Volume, Jakarta Strengthens Its Position as a Leading Leisure and MICE Destination in Asia

 

Asia’s premier travel trade exhibition concluded with remarkable success, organizing over 45,000 business meetings, attracting more than 18,500 participants from 85 countries, and showcasing 1,950 exhibitors. Furthermore, more than 1,400 high-quality buyers contributed to a dynamic business and networking atmosphere. A total of 160 prominent speakers shaped the future of travel at the ITB Asia Conference.

Jakarta Capital City Government, through Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Department, participated in Asia’s largest tourism exhibition, held from 23–25 October 2024 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapor

ITB Asia 2024 is one of Asia’s leading tourism business exhibitions, scheduled for 2024. This event serves as a vital platform for connecting tourism industry players, including hotels, tourism destinations, travel agencies, airlines, and other tourism service providers. ITB Asia spans a wide range of sectors, from leisure tourism and MICE to tourism technology.

Head of the Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Department, Andhika Permata, welcomed the event, stating, “The Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta is committed to enhancing competitiveness and innovation in both MICE and leisure tourism, ensuring that Jakarta remains a magnet for business players and investors seeking opportunities in the dynamics of national development.”

Helma Dahlia, Secretary of Jakarta’s Department of Tourism and Creative Economy, added that the development of the MICE sector also supports Jakarta’s economic sustainability as it adapts to a shifting role following the capital’s relocation.

Sherly Yuliana, Head of Marketing and Attractions, stated that as a business hub, Jakarta continues to strengthen its position as Indonesia’s leading MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination. With modern infrastructure, international transportation access, and various world-class event facilities, Jakarta remains the primary choice for hosting a range of business activities, conferences, and exhibitions, both on national and international scales.

On this occasion, Jakarta’s Department of Tourism and Creative Economy collaborated with various tourism industry players, including Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, JS Luwansa Hotel and Convention Centre Jakarta, The St. Regis Jakarta, and Dwidaya Wisata Indonesia, to jointly promote Jakarta’s tourism potential.

Lucky Wulandari, Head of the Overseas Tourism Marketing, stated, “This tourism promotion is expected to strengthen Jakarta’s appeal as a premier destination for tourists while also increasing tourist arrivals in Jakarta.”

Jakarta has robust infrastructure, from large-scale convention facilities to international accessibility through airports and transportation networks. With its established international and local networks, Jakarta remains well-positioned as a primary destination for hosting various business events, even after the capital’s relocation.

This optimism is further supported by the potential for collaboration between local government, industry players, and policy development that encourages investment in the MICE and leisure sectors, she concluded.

BIR wins another set of Ghost Receipt criminal cases before the DOJ; Warrants of Arrest against the Corporate Officers will follow

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. reports another win in his war against Ghost Receipts with the finding of the DOJ in two (2) cases that certain corporations and its corporate officers that there is probable cause for the violation of Sections 254, 255, 267 in relation 253 (d) and 256 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC). The cases are now filed before the Regional Trial Court and the Metropolitan Trial Court. Warrants of arrest will be issued against the responsible corporate officers.

"The BIR wins another set of criminal cases involving Ghost Receipts. Twenty-six (26) criminal informations were filed before the courts. Warrants of arrest will be issued against the responsible Corporate Officers. They will be arrested. The BIR is grateful to this favorable ruling of the DOJ, our ally in this war against Ghost Receipts." Commissioner Lumagui stated.

A total of 26 Criminal Informations were filed before the Courts against these corporations and corporate officers under the Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) Program of the BIR. The RAFT program was created by Commissioner Lumagui for the purpose of ending the selling and use of Ghost Receipts in the country. Ghost Receipts are receipts that contain fictitious transactions, which are then bought and used by businesses to evade proper payment of taxes.

The war against Ghost Receipts started after a December 2022 raid of the syndicate that sells these receipts to opportunistic businesses. The RAFT program was then created to audit and file criminal cases against the buyers and users of such receipts. Criminal cases were also filed against the sellers of such receipts.

The BIR continues to fight the war against Ghost Receipts. Last August 2024, the BIR partnered with Ateneo de Manila University - Department of Mathematics to develop an algorithm that will detect companies possibly using such receipts. The RAFT program will be a continuing and relentless project of the BIR because it is the only weapon that addresses the decades-old proliferation of Ghost Receipts in the country. 

BIR raids another large-scale Illicit Cigarette Factory in Cabanatuan with 636M Tax Liability

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. reports another win in his war against illicit trade with a successful raid of a clandestine factory that manufactures illicit cigarettes. Said factory is located in Cabanatuan City. 

An estimate of Php 636,935,703.54 of unpaid taxes and penalties will be assessed against those behind this illicit cigarette factory. Commissioner Lumagui also reports that when the BIR raided the factory, together with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), they discovered that the operations of the factory was done at the ground floor of what it seems to be a rest house and that truck containers used as storage facilities were hidden under camouflage covers. Also discovered during the raid were other facilities such as a bunker and a firing range. Fifteen (15) Chinese nationals were arrested during the raid. 

"The BIR will continue to raid large-scale illicit cigarette warehouses, traders, and manufacturers. This 636M raid in Cabanatuan City of an illicit cigarette factory shows our commitment to a fair and equal marketplace in our country. Expect more raids" Commissioner Lumagui stated. 

In a clear attempt to hide itself from detection by the BIR, the rest house that was used as a factory was situated behind a gasoline station. The BIR and the NBI had to enter two (2) separate gates from the gasoline station before reaching the factory. Inside the factory, they discovered illicit cigarettes, machines, fake tax stamps, raw tobacco and other materials used in  manufacturing of cigarettes. The place was also unsanitary because the raw tobacco being used in the manufacturing of the illicit cigarettes was merely placed on the floor where dirt and dust accumulated due to the unhygienic standards of the factory. 

The manufacturers of  illicit cigarettes that were raided in Cabanatuan City are now being investigated for violation of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC). This includes violation of Section 263. Unlawful Possession or Removal of Articles Subject to Excise Tax Without Payment of the Tax, Section 265-B. Violations Committed by Manufacturers, Importers, Indentors, and Wholesalers of Any Apparatus or Mechanical Contrivance Specially for the Manufacture of Articles Subject to Excise Tax and Importers, Indentors, Manufacturers or Sellers of Cigarette Paper in Bobbins, Cigarette Tipping Paper or Cigarette Filter Tips, Section 260. Unlawful Possession of Cigarette Paper in Bobbins or Rolls, Etc., Section 255. Failure to File Return, Supply Correct and Accurate Information, Pay Tax Withhold and Remit Tax and Refund Excess Taxes Withheld on Compensation, Section 254. Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax, Section 145. Cigars and Cigarettes, and Section 236. Registration Requirements of the NIRC.