Jakarta - In a report by Antara News, Indonesia`s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, initiated the use of the “Visit Indonesia Year 2008” (VIY 2008) logo by national carrier Garuda Indonesia`s aircrafts last Friday.
Minister Wacik believed the logo was essential in attracting tourists to Indonesia, using Malaysia as an example when its VMY 2007 logo was painted on its aircrafts, attracting 15 million international visitors.
However, Wacik said that while Indonesia drew five million foreign visitors after spending US$10 million towards promoting tourism, Malaysia only managed to attract 15 million tourists despite spending US$80 million.
"I was upset several weeks ago (to see the slugishness of airlines in painting the logo on their aircraft). If they still failed paint the logo on their planes until the President launches the Visit Indonesia Year 2008 on January 1, these companies have no sense of nationalism," said Wacik.
President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Emirsyah Satar, said the logo had been painted on Garuda aircrafts to demonstrate the carrier`s support and commitment to the VIY 2008 campaign.
In the future, Garuda aircrafts will carry the airline`s silhouette logo which comprises the VIY 2008 logo with the words “Celebrating 100 Years of National Awakening”.
Source: www.etravelblackboard.com (19 Desember 2007)