Singapore Airlines Assists Tourism in Indonesia

At the moment Indonesia needs all the tourist promotion it can get and I was pleased to read that Singapore Airlines and the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism have signed a marketing agreement to jointly boost and sustain tourism to Indonesia.

Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding Singapore Airlines and IMCT will continue their global collaborative activities to develop and promote Indonesia as a destination for international tourists according to Bali Discovery. The Agreement is valid for a year from 1 July 2006.

The primary focus of the joint activities is to promote the image, awareness and familiarity with Indonesia. Marketing campaigns will be conducted by Singapore Airlines and its affiliate SilkAir in America and selected countries in Europe and Asia.

Singapore Airlines and the IMCT will each contribute US$200,000 to fund the proposed activities in these markets.

Singapore Airlines will also use its extensive global network to actively promote Indonesia through joint participation in international travel fairs, educational and familiarization trips for travel agents and journalists, sales missions and consumer promotions. These activities will be publicized through the travel and trade media in the selected markets and the Airlines' proprietary communications channels. In Indonesia the IMCT will sponsor all ground arrangements such as land transport, domestic air travel, hotel accommodation, and visits to Indonesian tourist attractions.

The agreement was signed in Bali by Xavier Lim, Divisional Vice President of Marketing Singapore Airlines and Thamrin Bachri, Director General for Marketing, Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

Xavier Lim said "The extension of the MOU reflects our long-standing commitment and steadfast support for Indonesian tourism and tourism-related industries and strengthens our partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Jointly we will continue to work hard to promote Indonesia's vibrant culture and its varied and exciting attractions in key markets in the Singapore Airlines' route network. New markets like China and India have the potential to make significant and sustained contributions to the expansion and development of the Indonesian tourism industry."

Thamrin responded by saying "We look forward to increasing the number of joint promotions between Indonesia and Singapore."

Following the signing of the MOU, Desmond Lim, Manager Bali, on behalf of the Airline, presented a check for US$13,000 to the Governor of Bali for the Bali Cultural Fund.