CENTRAL Java is knocking on its neighbours’ doors to grab a share of burgeoning intra-ASEAN travel, especially from Singapore and Malaysia.
Led by Central Java governor Bibit Waluyo, a delegation held a roadshow in Singapore last weekend, meeting with the local travel trade and businessmen to promote tourism and investment in the destination.
A campaign was also launched with promotional livery to be displayed on SMART taxis to increase awareness of Central Java among Singaporeans. The campaign will run for at least a year.
Familiarisation trips for Singapore agents and media will be organised in the future.
The roadshow marks the first regional tourism efforts of the Central Java provincial government outside of travel marts and fairs.
A series of programmes is also being planned for Malaysia.
Central Java Tourism Promotion Board chairman Andhy Irawan said: “Singapore and Malaysia are more feasible to tap compared to other ASEAN countries and beyond, as accessibility is one of the issues Central Java is facing.”
Batavia Airlines flies direct between Singapore and Semarang thrice a week. The carrier plans to eventually launch a Semarang-Kuala Lumpur service.
