Four more cities declared as tourist gateways<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government yesterday declared Banda Aceh,
\nBandung, Ujungpandang and Mataram as new tourist gateways, adding
\nto the 13 cities whose airports are already equipped to deal with
\nthe influx of foreigners.<\/p>\n
Director General of Immigration Roni Sikap Sinuraya told
\nreporters yesterday that the Blang Bintang (Banda Aceh), Husein
\nSatranegara (Bandung), Selaparang (Mataram) and Hasanuddin
\n(Ujungpandang) airports are all now staffed by immigration
\nofficers ready to handle incoming foreigners.<\/p>\n
The decision was made in anticipation of an increasing number
\nof foreigners intending to visit the four cities directly, either
\nfor leisure or for business.<\/p>\n
However, Banda Aceh is open solely for citizens from the other
\nfive members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
\n(ASEAN): Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and
\nThailand.<\/p>\n
Bandung, Mataram and Ujungpandang will be accessible to
\nvisitors from the 47 countries which enjoy the visa-free
\nfacility.<\/p>\n
Visitors from these countries will be granted visas on arrival
\nfor stays of up to two months. The 47 countries include the
\nUnited States, all ASEAN countries, virtually all European
\ncountries, selected Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Previously, foreigners from the 47 countries could fly
\ndirectly to 13 cities in Indonesia: Jakarta, Medan, Pekanbaru,
\nBatam, Padang, Surabaya, Denpasar, Kupang, Pontianak, Balikpapan,
\nManado, Ambon and Biak.<\/p>\n
Aceh is being opened up to ASEAN visitors because the area is
\nnow considered part of ASEAN's growth triangle linking the
\nnorthern part of Sumatra, Penang island in Malaysia and the
\nsouthern province of Thailand.<\/p>\n
Greater access<\/p>\n
Mataram, Ujungpandang and Bandung will soon be linked with
\ndirect flights from Singapore, following the recent signing of
\nthe bilateral air agreement between Indonesia and Singapore,
\ngiving airlines of both countries greater access to serve various
\nIndonesian cities and the island nation.<\/p>\n
Sinuraya said three seaports in the Riau archipelago, which
\nare frequented by visitors from Singapore, also have been
\ndeclared tourist gateways. Visitors from the 47 countries can
\nalso turn up on these islands and request visas on arrival.<\/p>\n
The government is also expanding the scope of the Smart Card,
\nwhich allows the holders to visit designated places more than
\nonce, to the islands of Bintan, Karimun Jawa and Belakang Padang.<\/p>\n
The card, which contains electronic data and facilitates the
\nimmigration process for the holders, was launched early this year
\nfor the benefit of residents of Singapore and Batam residents who
\nfrequently shuttle between the two islands.<\/p>\n
The card's use also will be expanded to residents of Johor,
\nwhich along with Riau and Singapore, are joined in the first
\nASEAN growth triangle project.<\/p>\n
Sinuraya said the government is also improving the format of
\nthe special travel document it issues to Indonesians intending to
\nwork overseas in line with international standards.<\/p>\n
The travel document, which has a fixed validity period, comes
\nwith a light green cover.<\/p>\n
A pink travel document will be issued to foreigners whose
\npassports have been lost during their stays in Indonesia, to
\nallow them to return to their home countries. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/four-more-cities-declared-as-tourist-gateways-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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