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.