Boosting tourism

Indonesia is making efforts to overcome the economic crisis and one of the ways is by boosting tourism. But without certain improvements, the effort will fail. It is not a safe place for tourism and I'm not talking about riots, burning or demonstrations.

I'm a tourist in Indonesia and have been holidaying here for three weeks. I have taken taxis, bought things and done the usual things that a tourist does, paying mostly two or three times the price. But that usually happens everywhere so I'm not worried at by this.

Ordinary people have been very friendly, very helpful, but I found myself with no money in Tanjung Ridet, East Kalimantan, and went to Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), the only one in that town that purchases travelers checks. When I asked for the rate they said Rp 10,000 per US$1 (June 3, 1998)

I was surprised because when in Surabaya, Bank Exim (near Plaza Indah) offered me Rp 8,000 to the dollar (they thought I was desperate). So this was nothing new to me and instead of exchanging $5,500 I only did $550, waiting for a better rate in some other city.

In my opinion Indonesia will fail to boost its tourism because this kind of abuse came not from the people but from an countrywide institution like BNI, which is supposed to be serious and honest.

What could I expect if I really needed help and had to go to the hospital, police, etc.?

What can I expect with my credit card, which is authorized for use here and managed here by banks?

Luckily, I didn't need it.

It is urgent for Indonesia to improve this situation because when an institution like a bank can practice such abuse, no tourist would feel confident in using credit cards, traveler checks or whatever here.

The same day I saw on television that the dollar was trading at Rp 14,000.

ESTEBAN SECONDI

Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara