Fewer foreign tourists visit Jakarta

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)