Boomerang effect of visa fees

Boomerang effect of visa fees

Permanent unrest, the looting of shops and schools, setting
churches on fire or blasting them, and finally, the Bali bomb
tragedy, became the sad trademarks of a young democracy.

The tourism industry has been suffering for years, which also
had a very strong negative impact on education, health care and
infrastructure development.

Scrapping the 60-day, visa-fee policy will harshly affect
Indonesia's revenues that come from the tourism sector.
Introducing such a ridiculous fee of US$45 for tourists who want
to spend their money in hotels and restaurants, on shopping and
air travel shows a short-sighted, lack of understanding of basic
economic laws, e.g. supply and demand. Thailand, Malaysia, Sri
Lanka, Vietnam etc., will welcome the huge number of tourists,
who decide to spend the $45 on shopping rather than on dubious
visa fees, with open arms.

MICHAEL BEER, Karangasem, Bali