Fewer foreign tourists visit Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): The number of foreign tourists to Jakarta fell to 712,022 in the first six months of the year from 815,881 in the same period last year, the Jakarta Tourism Office said yesterday.

But the office's head, Fauzi Bowo, denied the drop reflected overseas fears over riots in Jakarta before the May general election.

Fauzi said economic slowdown in Indonesia's biggest tourism markets was the reason for the drop.

"Japan and many European countries are experiencing slower economic growth. It's natural that fewer people are traveling abroad," he said.

The figure is based on the number of foreigners who enter Indonesia through Jakarta's three immigration check points: Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Halim Perdana Kusuma airport and Tanjung Priok port.

Fauzi said the decline would probably spill over and affect tourist numbers to other major tourist sites in Indonesia.

"Jakarta is the main gateway to Indonesia and the center of distribution for other tourism destinations. Fewer foreign visitors to Jakarta means fewer people traveling to tourist areas outside Jakarta," he said.

Fauzi said holidaymakers no longer considered Asia, including Indonesia, as cheap as it used to be.

"Asian tourism has become quite expensive now because we are offering a wider range of goods and services," he said.

Price does not give a strong edge in the competition among Asian countries to attract foreign tourists.

"Our challenge is to give the best service and enhance the professionalism in the way we package our tours," Fauzi said.

Fauzi said Jakarta still had an edge over other major tourist destinations in Asia in attracting foreigners.

"This is one of the few cities in the world which has island resorts. We have ethnological and ecological tourism in one place," he said.

"This is a good place for people who are seeking adventure or simply looking for place to relax and enjoy". (07)