BY JAMES WILKINSON IN SEMINYAK, BALI
Garuda Indonesia is chasing a greater share of the business travel market from Australia to Bali and beyond, by launching a new Corporate Partner Program that offers corporate accounts, savings and rewards.
“Indonesia is a very strong corporate travel market, especially from Western Australia,” said Garuda Indonesia Senior General Manager Australia/SWP, Bagus Y. Siregar.
“In response to this demand, Garuda Indonesia has designed a Corporate Partner Program which streamlines all aspects of business travel, including flexible conditions and a wide range of additional travel related services.
“With our direct routes and current fleet revitalisation program now completed in Australia, we are very confident that our product will satisfy and appeal to the corporate traveller.
“Garuda Indonesia is devoted to enhancing our relationships with our corporate customers and this new program reinforces our commitment to the corporate travel market in Australia.
“The program has already been well received by travel management companies and corporate travel agents so far and we have already secured close to 20 new corporate and SME accounts throughout Australia.
“In response to this demand, we have appointed corporate sales executives in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth who will focus on driving and developing corporate business for the airline.”
Garuda Indonesia recently introduced flatbed seats in Executive (Business) Class and Video on Demand in every seat in both business and economy as part of a major fleet revitalisation program.
Hotels in Bali such as the brand new W Retreat and Spa Bali-Seminyak are reporting strong demand from Australia and Garuda targeting the corporate traveller bodes well for the incentive market.
Speaking exclusively to HM, W Retreat and Spa Bali-Seminyak General Manager Craig Seaward said the incentive market ex-Australia was a key target going forward.
Seaward said incentive bookings are expected to gain momentum in 2011 and will prove to be a lucrative segment in 2012.