Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik explained that Singapore and Malaysia are the main targets of Indonesian tourism. The government projected three millions tourists from those two countries along the year of 2008. “To meet such optimistic target, collaboration with various involved parties is required, including airliners such as Air Asia”, the minister said in his speech during the launching of three new Air Asia routes in Jakarta.

In the event, Air Asia, the region’s largest low fair airline operator introduced three new routes which are Singapore – Pekan Baru, Kuala Lumpur – Makasar, and Kuala Lumpur – Manado. With the addition of the new routes Air Asia was expected to bring in 1.68 million tourists to Indonesia. “Awarded The Best Low Cost Airline in Asia, Air Asia was expected to strengthen interest of visiting tourists by offering cheap air ticket”, wacik continued.

He admitted that the introduction of the new routes was also intended as a support of the government tourism campaign Visit Indonesia Year 2008 targeting 7 millions of foreign tourists bringing in 6.8 billion US Dollars into the country. With the achievement so far he was quite optimistic that the target will be comfortably met and increased in the coming years up to 10 millions tourists in 1010. “I am confident  that we are getting 9 millions tourists visiting Indonesia bringing in 7.2-7.5 billions US Dollars in 2009, and 10 millions in 2010″, said the minister.

Evaluating the progress of Visit Indonesia Year 2008 campaign, he informed that 3.1 millions foreign tourists visited Indonesia during the first half of the year. He was confident that more is coming in the second half of the year, allowing the 7 millions target met by the end of the year.

The CEO of Air Asia Group Dato Sri Tony Fernandes expressed his pride to be the partner in introducing Indonesia as an amazing holiday destination. Being the part if the country he took success of of Indonesian effort in tourism promotion as his responsibility as well. “Indonesian geographic condition requires connectivity and Air Asia bring a mission to to serve in order to improve social and economic strength throughout the nation”, he said.

Tony explained that currently Air Asia has 20 Intenational routes with 225 flights per week to Jakarta. With continuous addition of new aircrafts and new routes he believed that tourists visiting Indonesia would increase accordingly.