Don't cheat tourists

Don't cheat tourists

We are tourists in Indonesia. We are having a great time and think Indonesia is beautiful and an interesting country. However, one thing is of great concern to us: the difficulty of traveling caused by the dishonesty of some tour operators. Let us give you an example.

When traveling from Yogyakarta to Mt. Bromo we booked a door- to-door service with "Yogya Rental" with the secure feeling that we would be dropped at the hotel in which we had booked in advance. This did not happen. The bus stopped at one of the first homestays on the mountain, 2.5 kilometers before Ngadisari which was the advertised destination, refusing to go any further. Apparently this homestay is owned by the person who owns the bus company.

Because we arrived late at night and well after public transport had stopped operating for the day, we were unable to find our own way to the hotel of our choice. A tourist is then trapped with little alternative but to stay at their homestay.

We have spoken to many tourists who have had the same experience. This has left us with a bad impression of Indonesia.

To the tourist authority we say please introduce regulations to control the con men. Before it is too late and the tourists stop coming.

To the ordinary people of Indonesia we say thank you for being so friendly and making us feel so welcome in this lovely country.

MR & MRS BECKINSALE

MR & MRS PUTTEN