Senior singer appointed as tourism envoy

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 02/09/2010 3:25 PM

Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik has appointed Eddy Silitonga, a senior Indonesian singer, Indonesian tourism envoy, traveling around the world to promote the country’s tourism.

The journey will include visits to 49 countries on five continents within nine months, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Silitonga's program as a tourism envoy will basically cover three main activities: singing at the various places he visits such as cafes, restaurants and hotels; people-to-people contact with local communities and tourists; and organizing "Indonesian Art Nights” at all Indonesian embassies in the countries he will visit.

Two groups will support the program to be dubbed the "The Indonesian Team for Culture and Tourism Promotion by Eddy Silitonga".

The first group will be called the "Journey Team" consisting of six people, including Eddi Silitonga, who will travel to the 49 countries. And the second group will be the "Support Team”, which will monitor and support the logistics during the journey.

Todung Mulya Lubis, a prominent lawyer, and inspector general of the National Police Agus Wantoro, are advisors to the journey team to help the program succeed.

The program will be implemented from April 16, 2010 to January 10, 2011, Antara reported.