New tourist visa policy<\/p>\n
Further to various letters in The Jakarta Post regarding the
\nIndonesian government's new tourist visa policy, I can only say
\nhow valid the points are that they have raised.<\/p>\n
I recently retired after spending the majority of my working
\nlife overseas including the last ten years in Indonesia. Although
\nBritish, I would much prefer to spend much of my time in a warm
\nclimate rather than that in UK especially the cold winter.<\/p>\n
Currently I am visiting friends here in Indonesia and staying
\non a tourist visa for 60 days. This I would hope to renew after a
\nshort trip to a nearby country, as I really prefer being here
\nwhere I feel most at home. Whilst in Indonesia I will spend at
\nleast US$2,000 a month; virtually all on Indonesian goods and
\nservices not fares to foreign airlines or accommodation in 5 star
\nhotels of overseas chains. In addition I do purchase larger items
\nlocally (such as a laptop computer), so in total I am likely to
\nspend in Indonesia around $20,000 in a year.<\/p>\n
There are of course alternative countries to Indonesia where I
\ncan stay but this is really my preferred choice. However if I can
\nonly stay for a maximum of 30 days, must pay for a visa, then
\nhave to leave and cannot return for some time, it becomes less
\nand less attractive to me. I would prefer to spend my money
\nstaying and traveling in Indonesia but once I leave I might as
\nwell go somewhere such as Malaysia, Thailand or even Australia.<\/p>\n
It would seem therefore with the new visa policy, Indonesia is
\nlikely to lose the majority of my annual spending; not a lot
\nindividually but I am sure there are many others in similar
\nsituations and the total loss will not be unsubstantial.<\/p>\n
Some comments have been made that the profile of tourists to
\nIndonesia has changed considerably in recent years and that
\nbudget travelers form a far less important part of these.
\nHowever I would comment that, in general, whilst budget travelers
\ndo not spend as much as those staying in expensive resorts,
\nvirtually all they do spend stays within Indonesia and supports
\nthe lower income section of the people.<\/p>\n
Hopefully for all local business tied to the tourist industry
\nas well as the Indonesian economy, there will be some serious
\nrethinking.<\/p>\n
R.H. BARKER
\nTangerang, Banten<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-tourist-visa-policy-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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