APEC tourism slacking

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)