Surabaya Welcomes CNN Indonesia-CIMB Niaga Syariah Islamic Travel Connect with Rich Cultural and Financial Offerings

The Atrium Utama of Royal Plaza Surabaya has transformed into a bustling hub of religious tourism, financial planning, and spiritual enrichment as it hosts the CNN Indonesia-CIMB Niaga Syariah Islamic Travel Connect exhibition. Spanning four consecutive days from Friday, September 25, to Sunday, September 27, the event has successfully drawn large crowds of prospective pilgrims, travel enthusiasts, and families seeking comprehensive packages for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Jointly organized by media network CNN Indonesia and prominent Islamic financial institution CIMB Niaga Syariah, the exhibition serves as a strategic bridge connecting reliable travel agencies with communities eager to fulfill their spiritual obligations in the Holy Land.

As the event progresses through its carefully curated schedule, visitors are treated to a dynamic blend of spiritual lectures, interactive travel talks, lifestyle exhibitions, and exclusive financial promotions designed to make religious travel more accessible, affordable, and transparent. The synergy between high-profile travel agencies and a leading sharia banking institution highlights a growing trend in Indonesia’s Islamic tourism sector, where convenience, financial planning, and religious guidance merge to create a seamless pilgrimage experience for prospective travelers from East Java and surrounding regions.

A Comprehensive Four-Day Journey of Faith, Culture, and Commerce

The exhibition commenced on Thursday, September 24, setting a high-energy tone that carried seamlessly into the second day on Friday, September 25. Following the congregational Friday prayers, the event space resonated with spiritual reflection during an engaging Islamic study session led by Ustaz Heru Kusumahadi. This initial spiritual grounding set a contemplative mood for the weekend, reminding attendees of the core purpose behind the travel packages on display.

As Friday afternoon rolled in, the atmosphere shifted to blend education with lifestyle and commerce. Visitors enjoyed a captivating coffee-blending art performance, showcasing modern Indonesian lifestyle trends before transitioning into a series of insightful talk shows. Representatives from esteemed travel bureaus, including Mahyaa, Persada Indonesia, and Ziarah Hati, took the stage to share vital information regarding travel itineraries, visa regulations, accommodation standards, and preparation tips for the sacred journey.

The momentum continued into the evening session on Friday, featuring a comprehensive presentation by Bin Dawood Tour And Travel. The day’s activities culminated in a vibrant musical performance that entertained visitors and vendors alike, cementing the exhibition’s appeal as a family-friendly community event.

The excitement escalated on the third day, Saturday, September 26, which featured a midday religious lecture by Ustaz Moch Marzuki Imran. The main stage remained a hive of activity with live podcast recordings from Panglima Ekspres, offering listeners behind-the-scenes insights into religious travel logistics. Afternoon sessions included collaborative talk shows featuring notable travel agencies such as Saudaraku, Zafir, NH Travel, and Arminareka. To cap off the Saturday schedule, CIMB Niaga Syariah hosted an exclusive financial literacy session before Gendis Band took the stage to deliver a closing musical performance that delighted the weekend crowd.

The final chapter of the exhibition unfolds on Sunday, September 27, designated as the grand closing day. The itinerary features a morning Islamic lecture led by Ustaz Fathurrahman Masrukan, followed by advanced financial planning talk shows hosted by CIMB Niaga Syariah alongside travel partners Saudaraku, Shafira, Mahyaa, and Allia. A midday recording of the Panglima Ekspres podcast provides a final layer of media engagement before the event concludes with an official closing ceremony scheduled between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM Western Indonesia Time (WIB).

Unprecedented Financial Incentives and Exclusive Discounts

Beyond the spiritual enrichment and travel exhibitions, a primary highlight drawing visitors to the Royal Plaza Atrium is the robust financial support provided by CIMB Niaga Syariah. Recognizing that financial planning is one of the most critical hurdles for prospective pilgrims, the bank has rolled out an aggressive suite of promotions, cashback offers, and direct price reductions tailored specifically for the event.

Miza Apri Dora, Branch Area Head of CIMB Niaga Syariah for East Java, Kalimantan, and Eastern Indonesia, emphasized that these programs were meticulously designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with religious travel. During her opening remarks, Miza detailed the substantial cost-saving opportunities available exclusively to visitors who engage with the exhibition’s offerings.

"We are able to provide direct discounts of up to IDR 3 million specifically for special Hajj registrations," Miza stated during the opening ceremony of the Islamic Travel Connect in Surabaya.

For those planning to embark on the Umrah pilgrimage, the financial incentives are equally compelling. CIMB Niaga Syariah has structured an additional, multi-tiered discount system for consumers who utilize the bank’s proprietary sharia card products and financing facilities.

"We can also provide up to IDR 2 million for Umrah programs across the tour and travel agencies participating here. Plus, we can provide discounts of up to IDR 4 million for the simultaneous purchase of Umrah and Hajj packages using CIMB Niaga sharia cards," Miza elaborated.

This strategic integration of digital banking and sharia financial products not only incentivizes immediate transactions but also encourages long-term financial discipline among prospective travelers. By utilizing sharia-compliant credit and savings instruments, customers can manage their liquidity more effectively while ensuring that their financial transactions remain strictly aligned with Islamic jurisprudence.

Enhancing Visitor Experience Through Culinary Cashback and Hospitality

Understanding that navigating a large exhibition and consulting with multiple travel vendors can be a tiring endeavor, the organizers went a step further to ensure optimal visitor comfort. In collaboration with participating merchants, CIMB Niaga Syariah introduced an attractive culinary incentive to enhance the overall event experience.

"We are also providing a 50 percent cashback for transactions at the food and beverage tenants participating in and enlivening this activity," Miza added.

This thoughtful inclusion acknowledges the social aspect of public exhibitions, where families often spend hours browsing booths, listening to lectures, and attending talk shows. By subsidizing food and beverage purchases through digital cashback schemes, the organizers successfully encouraged visitors to extend their stay at the venue, thereby increasing engagement time with travel agents and banking representatives alike.

Strategic Synergy and the Broader Implications for Islamic Tourism

The collaboration between CNN Indonesia and CIMB Niaga Syariah through the Islamic Travel Connect exhibition arrives at a critical juncture for Indonesia’s tourism and religious travel sectors. As global travel restrictions have fully dissolved and international flight capacities have returned to pre-pandemic levels, demand for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages has surged exponentially across the archipelago.

However, this high demand has historically been accompanied by logistical challenges, including the proliferation of unverified travel operators and complex administrative hurdles. Events like the Islamic Travel Connect serve as a vital vetting platform, bringing together only licensed, reputable travel bureaus under one roof. This environment provides consumers with a safe, transparent, and regulated space to make significant financial commitments.

Furthermore, the involvement of a major financial institution like CIMB Niaga Syariah underscores the growing sophistication of Indonesia’s Islamic economy. Sharia banking is no longer confined to basic savings accounts; it has evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle and financial ecosystem that actively supports the fulfillment of religious obligations. By offering tailored financing, direct discounts, and seamless digital transactions, the bank is actively removing friction from the pilgrimage pipeline.

Industry analysts note that such regional exhibitions play an indispensable role in boosting local economic activity while fostering consumer trust. Surabaya, as the commercial epicenter of East Java, serves as an ideal testing ground for large-scale financial and tourism expos. The high foot traffic observed at Royal Plaza over the four-day period reflects a resilient middle-class demographic with a strong propensity for religious tourism and spiritual investment.

Looking Ahead: Empowering Umat Through Trusted Collaboration

As the curtains close on the CNN Indonesia-CIMB Niaga Syariah Islamic Travel Connect exhibition, the long-term impact of the event is expected to resonate well beyond its physical footprint. Organizers and participating partners express optimism that the synergies forged during the four-day event will translate into higher operational standards among travel agencies and greater financial preparedness among pilgrims.

Miza Apri Dora encapsulated the overarching vision of the initiative during her closing remarks, emphasizing that the primary goal is to empower the Muslim community (umat) with reliable, transparent, and ethical services.

"Hopefully, with the presence of this collaboration between CNN and CIMB Niaga Syariah at the Islamic Travel Connect, it can provide benefits to all stakeholders and, of course, to prospective pilgrims to get the best services in worshiping in the Holy Land, as well as obtaining ease and sharia financial services in accordance with the spirit of CIMB Niaga Syariah," Miza concluded.

Through meticulous planning, diverse programming ranging from religious lectures to lifestyle exhibitions, and aggressive financial incentives, the Islamic Travel Connect has set a new benchmark for religious tourism expos in Indonesia. By merging faith, education, and financial empowerment, the event has successfully paved a smoother, safer, and more affordable path for thousands of believers dreaming of journeying to the Holy Land.