International surveyors optimistic over Indonesia<\/p>\n
Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Jakarta's status as an international conference destination may
\nnot be on par as yet with Singapore or Hong Kong.<\/p>\n
And with a string of deadly bombings in recent years -- which
\nexposes security problems and further hurt the already dwindling
\nconfidence on security after the massive riots in 1998 -- it's
\nhard to argue otherwise.<\/p>\n
But, to some people, the situation here is not so bad.<\/p>\n
Just ask Markku Villikka, director at the Kopenhagen-based
\nInternational Federation of Surveyors (FIG) -- which just
\ncompleted its third Asia-Pacific regional conference in Jakarta,
\ngrouping together nearly 400 participants from 35 countries.<\/p>\n
"The problem with Indonesia is that, the country is not fully
\nknown. When we get news about Indonesia, they are bad ones.<\/p>\n
"But when people do get here, the reality is quite different
\nand I think people who have come here, or have better knowledge
\nabout Indonesia, are confident they can organize good events
\nhere. It's pretty much about image and about knowing the
\ncountry," he said on Wednesday, the last day of the conference
\nheld at the JW Marriott hotel.<\/p>\n
Villikka recalled debates among members over whether to go on
\nwith the plan to hold the conference in Jakarta, after a series
\nof bombs attacks -- from the Bali bombing in 2002, the Marriot
\nbomb in the following year, and to the bombing in front of the
\nAustralian Embassy last month.<\/p>\n
Even at that time, he urged other members to proceed with the
\nplan. "We cannot condemn the whole nation based on individual
\nincidents and that things like these can happen anywhere in the
\nworld."<\/p>\n
"We only had problems with cancellations the Canadian,
\nAustralian, U.S. and UK chapters -- that's mainly because of the
\ntravel (advisories). The rest decided to go on and today we can
\nsay that we have made the right decision."<\/p>\n
Communication and publicity about the country should then be
\nkey to get Jakarta back on the international radar when it comes
\nto holding a global convention, because facilities and costs-
\nwise, Jakarta remains competitive.<\/p>\n
"For the good technical facilities, and how well the local
\norganizing committee and people have treated us and how they
\norganized the conference -- Jakarta, and Indonesia, is of
\nexcellent value of money.<\/p>\n
"The quality of the conference, the services and professional
\nquality, is absolutely among the best we've had," Villikka added.<\/p>\n
Indra Sukirno, executive director at the Jakarta Convention
\nBureau (JCB) -- a state-appointed marketing consultant in charge
\nof promoting the city as a global convention destination, was
\nhopeful that things would get better for Jakarta in the future.<\/p>\n
"The FIG's convention here should serve as an indicator that
\nmore international associations can hold their conventions here,"
\nshe said, adding that FIG's convention was the first that JCB had
\nwon via a bidding process since the crisis.<\/p>\n
The global conference industry is seen as lucrative, not only
\nbecause it has plenty of multiplier-effects on the economy, but
\nbecause it also provides a chance for a transfer of knowledge
\nbetween foreigners and Indonesians.<\/p>\n
By comparison, in 1998, the riots in Jakarta prompted massive
\ncancellations of conferences. "It was worth some US$20 million in
\npotential revenue. You can imagine how lucrative this industry
\ncan be," Indra said.<\/p>\n
For Villikka however, things should get better for Jakarta in
\nthe future. "If people ask me, I would certainly say that we've
\nhad a conference in Jakarta, and despite the earlier problems, it
\nwas a great success.<\/p>\n
"I'm more than happy to recommend Jakarta for a conference
\ndestination."<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/international-surveyors-optimistic-over-indonesia-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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