Art tourism packages have no standard

Art tourism packages have no standard

By Bagong Kussudiardja

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The decline in the quality of performances, especially dancing, has become a hot issue. The problem is mainly seen at performances included in tourist packages. The low salaries of the artists is a main concern.

This long standing problem can be found not only in Indonesia but also in other countries. It is a very complex problem and requires a multi-layered solution.

First, standards are badly needed.

Artists hardly earn a living, which brings about a drop in motivation and integrity. Indonesian artists' lack of integrity has caused the decline in the quality of their works. The matter can also be reversed: because the quality of the art works is very poor, the artists' integrity, which is a form of appreciation, slides lower and lower.

The problem can only be solved if the three parties involved -- the government, the tourism industry and the artists -- work together and have a mutual understanding of the problem.

The tourism industry is a big earner in the country, which explains the government's concern for it. The government has a number of policies to support the tourist sector. However, the government still needs to ensure hotels have quality art packages.

Art organizations outside the hotels should provide the packages, because hotels already earn a lot from rooms, restaurants and other services. Allowing other people to earn some money will improve the quality of the performances and benefit a larger number of artists. The policy will also encourage the growth of transportation, souvenirs and outdoor services.

Local administrations can also regulate the minimum tariff for artists and provide a guide to the appropriate treatment of them.

Businesses dealing with tourism should realize that art packages for both domestic and foreign tourists have a strategic value to cultural improvement. They have to make sure that the art performances, particularly the traditional ones, meet a standard of quality. Otherwise, the performances could give the wrong impression about Indonesian art.

The government and the tourism industry should also continue to provide financial support for the artists.

Indonesian artists, who are often manipulated by the tourism industry, are forced to compete with each other. This causes a tariff war which finally forces artists to lower their rates simply to get an order. financial support would alleviate this problem.

Artists, too, are responsible for maintaining the quality of their work and should not sacrifice the art because they are poorly paid.

The quality of the country's art tourism packages will improve only if the government, the tourism industry and the artists themselves work together towards giving the best performance possible.