A blow to our tourist industry

A blow to our tourist industry

The United States, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Japan have once again cautioned their citizens not to visit Indonesia. This alert was issued because of the uncertain political situation in this country, and because unrest and clashes have occurred in a number of places, including the Semanggi and Ketapang areas of Jakarta.

Although this time the warning was not accompanied by preparations for an evacuation, travel business operators expect this travel alert to have a wider negative impact (on tourism) than the alert issued last May by these same governments. This time, the warning is based more on the consideration that the unrest is the result of the (deteriorating) political situation, as reflected, for example, in the Ketapang incident. The problem is made worse by the fact that the foreign media has been presenting the Ketapang incident as one stemming from ethnic, religious, racial and group differences.

We, as Indonesian citizens, can see for ourselves how the current situation has given cause for grave concern, and, indeed, has become rather frightening. Acts of destruction, arson, crime and ever murder appear to have become the only stories presented by our media. In such a situation, investors and tourists are sure to shun Indonesia -- even without a travel alert.

How long is this going to last? This is the question that all members of this nation must ask themselves. Is this the kind of reform we want?

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta