Australia and tourism<\/p>\n
I was appalled to discover during a recent visit to the
\nAustralian Embassy that Indonesians visiting Australia for
\nvacations have to demonstrate they have sufficient funds to leave
\nthat country, or they must have proof of a sponsorship by others
\nto support their departure.<\/p>\n
This policy does not encourage me to visit Australia or spend
\nmy hard earned cash there. If I were an Indonesian I would look
\nto other areas in South East Asia where a more friendly, trusting
\nattitude is exhibited by host countries.<\/p>\n
Do Australians visiting Indonesia have to prove they have
\nsufficient funds to leave Indonesia? I would suspect not.<\/p>\n
Visit Bali and take note of the hoards of Australian visitors
\nbumming around, whose demeanor and appearance suggests very
\nlimited support for their stay in Indonesia or their departure. I
\nalso suspect there are far more Australians who would prefer to
\nlive in Indonesia than vice versa.<\/p>\n
The Australian government is always claiming to be part of
\nAsia, but its words and actions often do not seem to match.<\/p>\n
Surely a return airfare ticket back to the point of departure
\nshould be a sufficient indication of a traveler's intentions
\nduring a visit to Australia. This subtle way of checking a
\nvisitor's intentions is much more polite and Asian.<\/p>\n
I suggest that the Australian Embassy, which certainly wants
\nto encourage tourism to Australia, think about its attitude
\ntowards their Asian neighbors and treat potential tourists for
\nwhat they are -- not as likely illegal immigrants.<\/p>\n
It is difficult enough finding parking near the new Australian
\nEmbassy (none is provided by the Embassy for visitors), but the
\nmistrust shown to applicants for a visitor visa is one more thing
\nto discourage Indonesians from going to Australia.<\/p>\n
HUGH PAUL BISHOP<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australia-and-tourism-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }