Jakarta - Five Indonesian TMCs are planning to organise a Jakarta Corporate Travel Forum to create awareness of corporate travel management among companies in Indonesia.

The first forum is planned for September 2004 and aims to be an annual event. It will be organised jointly by BTI Vaya Tour, Carlson Wagonlit Indonesia, PanTravel (Radius), American Express and Bayu Buana TQ3.

Formatted like the regional Corporate Travel World, the forum will include seminars, workshops and a corporate travel fair.

BTI Vaya Tour sales and business development manager, Mr Andhie Saad, told BTN Asia-Pacific: "I think it is about time we organise such an event for the local market. The potential here is huge but the awareness is still low. Companies still consider efficiency as simply getting the highest possible discounts on rates and fares."

He said multinational companies in Indonesia recognised the global brands and used them, especially when their company worldwide were using one particular brand. "Even then, we are facing the challenge to improve the compliance to the system. Besides, the global brands are here to penetrate the local markets, and we feel the need to educate this market."