Syed Mussarat Khalil Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Singapore Airlines (SIA), Singapore Tourism board (STB,) for the second time this year, and Indonesia Tourism Board (ITB), for the first time, organized a “Travel Agent's Seminar” at Radisson BLU Monday. Consul General of Singapore Razif Al-Junaid and Consular at Consulate General of Indonesia Ibrahim were the guests of honor. General Manager of SIA - Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Jordon, Yemen and Iraq) Lim Hang Kok welcomed and thanked the guests and audience for attending their second seminar. He enlightened his audience about cultural and commercial tourism in both Singapore and Indonesia, and spoke about SIA Boeing A300. He hoped the travel agencies and participants would benefit from this seminar. Area Director Middle East and Africa Mohammed Hafez Marican said: “We conduct a seminar in Riyadh and Jeddah every six months or so.
“The purpose of hosting such a seminar is to raise awareness of tourism in Singapore to the travel industry in Saudi Arabia.
“We understand that a number of Saudis have been to Singapore. It is like Dubai in many ways. Singapore is ever changing and ever evolving. “Over the last five years lots of new interesting developments have taken place in Singapore, including universal studios and other attractions in the integrated resorts. “So our purpose is basically to update travel trade in Saudi Arabia of these new developments and promote the new products.” Tarek Bou Harb, account manager and Visit Indonesia Tourism Officer, came from Dubai to gave a presentation on Indonesia. He said Indonesia has 17,500 islands, and there are many places in Jakarta to visit and witness the nature, culture and heritage. The most attractive place is the Jakarta museum, and for honeymoon Bali. Mohammed Sadique Batatawala, sales support executives (WP) SIA, and Nihal Asgar conducted the seminar, and shed light on SIA operations and services. A large number of people, including representatives of Jeddah's noted travel and tourism agencies were in attendance. Gulrez Khan, regional sales manager (WP), Kanoo Travel and Nayab Ahmed Siddiqui, senior sales executive (WP) SIA were also among the organizers of the event. Jafar Khan, senior consultant of Portfolio Travel Limited, praised the event. At the end, a quiz competition was held where Hosni Al-Masri from PCB Travel and Nishat from Zahid Travel won free air tickets (Jeddah-Singapore-Jeddah), and two other winners won aircraft models. — SG
