Govt asked to give city more tourism autonomy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A councilor urged the government yesterday to
\ngive more autonomy to the municipality in managing its tourism
\nsector, including in the issuance of star hotel permits.<\/p>\n
Imam Sutikno of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) said at
\nthe City Council's plenary session that he made the appeal
\nbecause the municipality's authority in the tourism sector was at
\npresent very limited.<\/p>\n
\"The issuance of permits for star hotels, for example, is
\nstill under government authority, while the administration only
\nhas the authority to issue permits for small-scale hotels,\" Imam
\nsaid in a meeting to pass a bill on the city's tourism sector.<\/p>\n
The bill was to replace the old city regulation No. 3\/1993 on
\ntourism.<\/p>\n
Imam said the municipality also did not have the authority to
\nissue permits for travel bureaus or airline agencies.<\/p>\n
\"Limited authority of accommodations, travel bureaus and
\nairline agencies hampers our efforts to further develop the
\ncity's tourism sector,\" Imam said.<\/p>\n
For instance, he said, the municipality could not offer
\nattractive tourism packages to prospective tourists.<\/p>\n
\"Currently, the municipality is very active in promoting
\ntourism here, but without attractive (tourism) packages, it would
\nbe difficult to promote (the city),\" Imam said.<\/p>\n
He urged officials to further find a breakthrough in improving
\nthe tourism sector.<\/p>\n
Deputy Governor of Economic and Development Affairs Tb.M. Rais
\nsupported Imam's remarks.<\/p>\n
\"In my opinion, Jakarta has already had the ability to manage
\nits tourism sector, including the issuance of star hotel
\npermits,\" said Rais, who attended the session on behalf of
\nGovernor Surjadi Soedirdja.<\/p>\n
The municipality and the government, he said, could discuss
\nthe division of their shares, including fees, after transferring
\nautonomy.<\/p>\n
The transfer of autonomy, he said, could be conducted in
\nstages. \"We have to consider some factors, including human
\nresources,\" Rais said.<\/p>\n
Data from the Central Statistics Bureau shows that the number
\nof foreign tourists entering Jakarta tends to increase every
\nyear.<\/p>\n
In 1995, the number of foreign tourists substantially
\nincreased from 1.3 million people to 1.67 million in 1996.<\/p>\n
In the January-May period this year, 578,987 foreign tourists
\nentered through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tanjung
\nPriok seaport and Halim Perdanakusumah Airport.<\/p>\n
The bureau's data showed that in 1996, 55 percent of foreign
\ntourists came to the city on vacation, 37.8 percent on business,
\n5 percent as convention participants and 0.3 percent in
\neducational programs.<\/p>\n
Spending by foreign tourists increased from US$2.1 billion in
\n1995 to $3.02 billion in 1996.<\/p>\n
Most foreign tourists stayed in the city for about a week and
\nspent about $240 per day in 1996.<\/p>\n
The 1996 statistical data also showed that 31.7 percent of
\ntourist spending was on accommodations, 16.5 percent on souvenirs
\nand shopping, 15.6 percent on meals, 14.1 percent on
\ntransportation, 10.1 percent on entertainment and 6.5 percent on
\nrecreational activities.<\/p>\n
In the 1994\/1995 fiscal year, tourism sector contribution to
\ncity income was Rp 212.6 billion and Rp 298.4 billion in 1996.
\n(ste)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-asked-to-give-city-more-tourism-autonomy-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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