APEC tourism slacking

There were no smiles at Smailing Tour as it found out that APEC and tourism don't mix, not just yet anyway.

The private tour operator, which has opened a stand at the APEC Media Center in the hope of cashing in on the presence of hordes of delegates and journalists, says business is slow.

Only a few people came to book flights, mostly to Yogyakarta or Bali. Several others asked for seats to Dili, an attendant of the tour operator said.

"I don't know why business is this slow. Maybe because people are very busy, or because they are well prepared travelers, who have arranged everything beforehand," she said.

The operator decided to open a stand based on her experience during the 1992 Non-Aligned Summit in Jakarta. Then, not a single travel agency was present, leaving the office of the flag carrier Garuda Indonesia as the only place to handle travel arrangements. (sim)