New visa rule
\nanother burden<\/p>\n
I read with bewilderment reports of the recent changes to the
\nvisa regulations for visitors to this country. Previously,
\nnationals from 48 countries were entitled to obtain a free 60-day
\nvisa on arrival in Indonesia. The new legislation allows
\nnationals from just 11 countries (those with reciprocal rights) a
\n30-day tourist visa on arrival in Indonesia. Others may be
\nentitled to a hefty, US$40 to $45 on-arrival visa that would be
\nvalid only at the place of issuance and the surrounding areas, or
\nwould have to apply for a visa at an embassy overseas.
\nFurthermore, tourists will not be allowed to extend their visas
\nand will have to leave the country at least two weeks before they
\nmust apply for a new visa.<\/p>\n
At a time when the tourist industry is in dire straights, this
\ndecision, at best, reflects a disregard for those people who are
\nso desperately attempting to eke out a living from a devastated
\nindustry or, at worst, a failure on the part of the politicians
\nrunning this country to formulate an appropriate response to a
\ncrisis situation. I do not begrudge the government the right to
\nimpose tougher visa regulations on tourists, or to charge them
\nfor those visas. Most other countries insist on the same for
\nIndonesian citizens, after all.<\/p>\n
However, now is not the time to impose this new legislation.
\nIt is going to take a lot of very hard work by all those involved
\nin the tourist industry to convince prospective tourists that
\nIndonesia is once again a safe and desirable holiday destination.
\nThe new legislation certainly does nothing to assist with this
\nimage when a family of four is faced with an additional charge of
\n$180.<\/p>\n
Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra is
\nquoted as saying, \"Other countries generate revenue from it (visa
\nfees), so why don't we?\" (The Jakarta Post, April 16). The
\nMinister apparently misjudges the situation. Very few other
\ncountries have had to deal with the same level of internal and
\nexternal disturbance over the past five years. In this respect
\nIndonesia is unique in the Asia-Pacific region.<\/p>\n
The Minister is also quoted as citing internal security
\nmeasures for the introduction of the new legislation. Thus,
\nmillions of Indonesians are being made to suffer for the action
\nof a few foreigners.<\/p>\n
Rather than taking a measure that will do nothing to boost
\ntourism in this country in the immediate future, the government
\nshould be doing its utmost to encourage as many tourists as
\npossible to come to Indonesia. Instead of effectively restricting
\naccess, the government should be making it easier for tourists to
\ncome here by, for example, issuing free, 90-day, on-arrival
\nvisas. The income generated by longer-stay tourists would far
\noutweigh that generated by expensive, short-stay visa revenue.<\/p>\n
PETER WALBRAN
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-visa-rule-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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