Boosting tourism

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