Local wrong perceptions hinder tourism development<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The unfavorable perception among local people of
\nthe development of tourist facilities is hampering the promotion
\nof the tourism which has been fostered for 25 years.<\/p>\n
\"There are three basic unfavorable perceptions about the
\ndevelopment of the tourist industry in the country. Many people
\nstill believe that tourism will have a negative impact on
\nIndonesia's social values, damage the environment and improve
\nonly the welfare of businessmen,\" Director General of Tourism
\nAndi Mappi Sammeng said yesterday at the opening of a two-day
\nworkshop on tourism at Hotel Wisata here.<\/p>\n
He said the government introduced Tourism Law No. 9\/1990 to
\ncounter these negative views. The law specifically supports the
\ndevelopment of the tourist industry with the requirements that
\nthe country's social values, traditions and other aspects of
\npublic interest be considered and preserved.<\/p>\n
\"We also have State Policy Guidelines promoting the
\ndevelopment of the tourist industry,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Andi pointed out that officials within the Ministry of
\nTourism, Post and Telecommunications and other related offices
\nshould be more serious about communicating the meaning of the
\ntourist industry to the country's development.<\/p>\n
\"We need many well qualified spokespersons throughout the
\ncountry,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The workshop, attended by legislators from Commission V of the
\nHouse of Representatives as observers, is participated in by 70
\nofficials from government institutions throughout the country.<\/p>\n
Currently there are 500 clubs, which are called Sadar Wisata
\nand group about 26,000 personnel in Indonesia, assigned to
\ncommunicate the purpose of tourist development programs promoted
\nby the government.<\/p>\n
Progress<\/p>\n
Later yesterday, Andi said in a seminar here on challenges in
\ntourism that by the year of 2000 Indonesia is expected to have
\nachieved the highest tourist growth rate.<\/p>\n
Andi said many countries have acknowledged that Indonesia's
\ntourist industry is growing rapidly and has a quite bright
\nfuture.<\/p>\n
\"In the Asia-Pacific region, Southeast Asia's tourist industry
\nis considered to have the fastest growth rate and Indonesia will
\nbe a leading nation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In its November 1994 edition, Asia Week ranked Indonesia first
\namong Asian countries which gained the highest growth in revenues
\nfrom visiting foreign tourists in the last decade.<\/p>\n
The Hong Kong-based magazine reported that Indonesia recorded
\na 773 percent increase in tourist spending from US$288 million in
\n1981 to $2.51 billion in 1991, far above South Korea, which was
\nranked second and recorded a 582 percent increase.<\/p>\n
Last year, Indonesia earned some $4 billion from the visits of
\nmore than four million tourists.<\/p>\n
Andi said that in facing the growth, the country has to
\nenhance coordination among government institutions.<\/p>\n
He explained that government institutions need to further
\nsynchronize their work and prepare facilities to cope with the
\ngrowth.<\/p>\n
He said Indonesia, which already operates 23 international
\nairports all over the country, for example, should also
\nimmediately prepare quick procedures for immigration services.<\/p>\n
\"It's just an example. In the meantime, are we ready to
\nreceive and serve visitors from Asian countries who do not speak
\nEnglish?\" he wondered.<\/p>\n
Andi said that Indonesia's major potential markets include not
\nonly English-speaking nations but also Japan, South Korea and
\nTaiwan. (icn)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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