10,000 to walk, promote tourism

10,000 to walk, promote tourism

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Around 10,000 Jakartans are expected to join a mass walk on
Sunday morning from City Hall to the Hotel Indonesia traffic
circle, vice versa.

The event is organized by the Indonesian Tourism Community's
(MPI) Jakarta chapter to commemorate World Tourism Day, which
fell on Sept. 27.

"It is one of our efforts to recover the image of Jakarta
following a bomb attack in front of the Australian Embassy," said
the chapter chairwoman, Herna P. Danuningrat.

She said the campaign was also meant to raise the public's
awareness on the importance of participating in the drive to
promote Jakarta as a tourist destination.

"People can take part in some measures to make the city secure
and clean. That will be a great help for the recovery of the
business," Herna added.

The walk will be officially started by Governor Sutiyoso from
City Hall on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan at 6:30 a.m. Participants
will walk along Jl. Thamrin before encircling Hotel Indonesia
traffic circle and finish at the Office of State Minister of
Tourism and Culture on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat.

During the event, Jakartans will be able to enjoy tanjidor
(native Betawi orchestra) performance accompanied with ondel-
ondel (giant effigies clad in Betawi costumes).

Each participant will hold a colorful balloon during the walk.
The organizer will also provide five trees, known as trees of
hope, where participants can place colorful papers to express
their hopes and wishes to the development of the country's
tourism.

Aside from the walk, the organizer will also hold various
programs at the finish line, including a dance session and a
bazaar featuring street vendors with handicrafts and traditional
Betawi food, such as ketupat sayur (caked rice cooked with
coconut milk and served with side dishes), nasi uduk (rice
steamed in coconut milk and served with side dishes) and kerak
telor (pancake made of glutinous rice).

Participants will also have a chance to win two flight tickets
from Jakarta-Bali-Jakarta in a lucky draw.