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Singapore Airlines, Australian tourism launch promo campaign
MUMBAI: Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) have launched a new promotional campaign aimed at increasing tourist arrivals to Australia.
According to a press release, the regional promotion, Enjoy Australia with Singapore Airlines, targets visitors from Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, India and China, and follows hot on the heels of an earlier successful global campaign – “SIA Fabulous Offer”.
The campaign will be publicised primarily through promotional television spots on the Discovery Channels and online publicity on the MSN network, and is expected to reach a total of 90 million consumers in the target markets.
“Initiatives like these play a timely and important role in restoring public confidence in air travel,” SIA executive vice president marketing and the regions Huang Cheng Eng was quoted as saying, “We are excited to be working with the ATC to encourage travel to one of SIA’s most important markets. As the largest foreign carriers in Australia, SIA will continue to be a significant contributor to the growth of Australian tourism, and we look forward to forge this strong partnership with the ATC.”
“This new campaign is another example of the ongoing co-operation between Singapore Airlines and ATC under our formal MOU. It was made possible by the provision of A$10 million additional funding from the Australian Minister of Tourism to the ATC and forms a key part of the total A$ 20 million worth of new campaigns to revive international arrivals to Australia,” ATC executive general manager Asia and Japan Richard Beere was quoted as saying.
“It is also part of ATC’s new Asian campaign under the theme ’Australia –You are Welcome’, which rolls out in Asia & Japan over the next three months to reinforce the Australia’s number one attribute- its warm and friendly people,” Beere added.
The Enjoy Australia with Singapore Airlines promotion offers customers the chance to visit Australia at special fares. The tickets will go on sale from July onwards.
The Enjoy Australia with Singapore Airlines promotion will also be enhanced by an online quiz on Australia that can be found on the Website australia.singaporeair.com. Participants stand a chance to win SIA Raffles (business) Class tickets to any SIA destination in Australia, with a five-night stay at a five-star hotel. The online contest will run from 30 June 2003 to 17 August 2003. Visitor information on Australia will also be available on the Website from 30 June 2003 until 21 September 2003.
As part of its business recovery programme, SIA has been working with regional tourism authorities to revive demand for air travel. Together with local industry partners, it has also been actively involved in hosting numerous foreign media and trade groups in promoting travel in the region.
The Australian Tourist Commission is a Commonwealth Statutory Authority with the charter to promote Australia as a tourist destination in over 40 countries.
The SIA Group network, including services operated by SIA’s regional airline subsidiary, SilkAir and Singapore Airlines Cargo, extends to 86 destinations in 36 countries.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
