TEMPO.CO, Solo-The Surakarta City Administration and entrepreneurs tries to attract tourist visits through Solo Great Sale in February 2016.

Chairman of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies Association (Asita) Surakarta Daryono admits that promotion is the key factor for the event’s success. “Although not enough, we will make effort so that this two months promotion could be effective,” Daryono said Sunday, November 29.

Solo Great Sale is a shopping feast held for nine months. Throughout February, entrepreneurs and services joined in the program will give out huge discounts to customers.

In February 2015, the program was participated by several stores, shopping centers, hotels, restaurants and tourism sites, where it gave up to 80 percent discount satisfy its customers.

“Ideally, promotion should be done far ahead,” Daryono said. Therefore, tourists can arrange their schedules in visiting Surakarta. “Including in planning their leave.”

Daryono says he is planning to boost promotion in some cities including Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, and Makassar. The promotion will be done by partnering with travel agencies in those cities.

It even plans to promote it to Malaysia. “There happens to be a direct flight from Malaysia to Solo,” he said.

Daryono said Malaysian tourists visiting Indonesia is dominated by travelers who love to shop.

Daryono expects that this routine event can be enjoyed by entrepreneurs. He is also certain that the economic impact generated can be felt by vast society, including street vendors, paddy cabs, and minor craftsmen.

Last February, Solo Great Sale managed to set a transaction of Rp 37 billion. The transaction is recorded through 6,000 discount cards spread by the committee to tourists.

Head of Culture and Tourism Department Surakarta Eny Tyasni says the department is discussing the types of incentives that will be given.

On its previous event, the government gave tax exemptions for classified ads for the Solo Great Sale promotion, and gave tax discounts to hotels and restaurants. This way, hotels and restaurants could also offer catchy discounts for tourists.

“Hopefully, the next mayor would have the authority to issue those incentives,” said Eny.

Surakarta City will be holding a local election on December 9.

AHMAD RAFIQ