MAS pushes passenger growth in Indonesia
MAS pushes passenger growth in Indonesia
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Eyeing higher revenues from Indonesians, Malaysia Airlines System (MAS) is intensifying its promotion and advertising here by, among others, organizing a travel fair in September that would provide numerous discounted travel packages.
The fair will be taking place at the Jakarta Convention Center from Sept. 23 to Sept. 25 -- the first-ever Malaysian Airlines Travel Fair (MATF) to take place outside Malaysia, the carrier said on Friday.
Dato Rashid Khan, MAS senior general manager for sales, distribution and marketing, said the fair aimed at strengthening MAS' business relationships with both customers and business partners from Indonesia.
"This is the first time such a travel fair has been held by any airline operating here. We organized it because Indonesia holds a vast potential market for us," he said on Friday.
About 40 travel agents are expected to take part in the event.
MAS has held two travel fairs in Malaysia so far.
Last year, the fair took place in Kuala Lumpur, attracting more than 120,000 visitors. While in February, a MATF was held in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching, Sarawak, and Kota Kinabalu, attracting 71,000 visitors.
"Even if only 5 percent of Jakartans (a city with population of about 8 million) come to the exhibition, it will already exceed the number of visitors in the previous exhibitions we held in Malaysia," said MAS Area Manager for Indonesia Dzulkefli Zakaria.
Dzulkefli also said that the event would support the company's target of boost this year's revenue by 15 percent from the 1.7 million ringgit they earned in Indonesia last year.
He said last year MAS transported 14,422 people in 76 flights from seven destinations around the country.
MAS Assistant General Manager for Advertising, Promotions and Branding Yazid Mohammed said the company was trying to create a brand image among Indonesians and therefore would not hesitate to invest in promoting its products and services.
The carrier has allocated $1 million for advertising.
"The funds will purely be spent for 'above the line communications', such as advertising in electronic and print media. That is to show the level of commitment from MAS," Yazid told The Jakarta Post. (006)