ATF concludes as region tries to boost image to lure tourists

Asip A. Hasani and Israr Ardiansyah, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

The 2002 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Forum (ATF) concluded on Monday, with officials claiming success in promoting the region as a safe destination for tourism.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Culture and Tourism I Gede Ardika who was not present at the closing ceremony, Setyanto P. Santoso, head of the tourism and cultural board said that the forum had proven to potential visitors that Indonesia, just like the rest of the countries in the region, was a nice place for a holiday.

"All participants of the ATF have witnessed that Yogyakarta and most of Indonesia is safe," Setyanto said before the audience who attended the ceremony at the Prambanan Temple.

Cambodian Tourism Minister Veng Sereyvuth shared the view and congratulated the Indonesian government for a successful forum.

"The forum has proven that Yogyakarta and Indonesia are safe," he said in his speech. His country has been named to host ATF next year.

There was no immediate explanation about the absence of I Gede Ardika who was slated to officially close the ceremony.

ATF was the first major tourism forum held after Sept. 11, which dealt a major blow to world tourism.

Ten ASEAN countries plus China, Japan and South Korea sent high-level government delegates to the forum which began on Jan. 24.

The forum discussed the impact of the September tragedy on tourism.

The image of ASEAN as a safe destination was tarnished further following recent arrests of alleged al-Qaeda linked terrorists in Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

Joko Lesmana, owner of Tunas Indonesia Tours and Travel, said that many of his European customers were very surprised to find that the region, particularly Yogyakarta, was a good place to visit.

"If we knew that Indonesia, particularly Yogyakarta, was not dangerous, we would have promoted it along with Bali long ago," Joko told The Jakarta Post on Monday, quoting his company's customers.

Apart from a ministerial meeting, ATF also held a travel exchange or Travex, which was attended by 804 vendors of tourism products from nine countries, and 380 potential customers from 47 countries.

The value of trading during the event had not as yet been calculated.

Most vendors expressed satisfaction with the ATF, saying they have made many business appointments for future follow-ups.

Magdalene Lee, director of the Singapore Tourism Board, said that the forum enabled her office to add new products to be offered to buyers.

"I met with some new buyers from new emerging markets such as Russia. This is promising," she said.