The Travellers Official Information Bureau was founded in March 1908. Its core activity was to spread propaganda material abroad to promote tourism in the Dutch East Indies. From 1909 the Bureau’s head office was located in Batavia, Rijswijk corner Gang Pool. In 1933 it moved to a more convenient location next to the famous Hotel der Nederlanden in the same city. In the office, travellers could buy publications issued by the Bureau, have an itinerary put together, or obtain free of charge information ‘about places of interest in particular regions, about the country and its peoples, administrative institutions and suchlike’. Tourists could also turn to the Bureau for expert guides who were highly knowledgeable about the major attractions.
The Premises of the Travellers Official Information Bureau (Officieele Vereeniging Toeristenverkeer) and the Royal Dutch East Indies Motor Club (Koninklijke Nederlandsche Indische Motorclub) in Batavia illuminated on the occasion of the wedding of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard. Postcard. 1937. [KITLV 94899]