Tourism expo draws crowds in KL, S'pore

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: A road show put on by Yogyakarta in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to promote its tourist industry drew large crowds, mostly representatives of travel agencies and hotels.

"We expected only some 40 (potential buyers) but over 80 came," the vice chairwoman of the Yogyakarta chapter of the Association of Tour and Travel Agencies, Tusi Kuswenda, told The Jakarta Post in Kuala Lumpur.

In Singapore more than 50 potential buyers -- representatives of travel agencies and hotels -- attended the tourism expo.

However, no transactions or deals were finalized during the expo, which was part of a tourism promotional tour titled The Amazing Jogja Road Show Singapore-Malaysia held from May 21 through May 26. The tour was jointly organized by the provincial administration, Garuda Indonesia Airlines and Yogyakarta's travel agents association.

"Promotion is not an instant investment whose results can be instantly harvested. That is why it is necessary to continually conduct promotional programs," she said.

The tour was put on following the opening of new international direct flights from Yogyakarta to both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. -- JP