Fuel shortage deters domestic tourists

Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Fuel scarcities and increasing street protests had discouraged domestic tourists from visiting Yogyakarta over the past week, a number of travel agents said on Friday. However, they added that the fuel crisis had not affected the number of overseas tourists visiting the city.

"In the past week, no domestic tourists booked our services to travel to tourist attractions in Yogyakarta. In normal times, we usually get between 10 and 15 domestic tourists every week," said Alim, the manager of Annisa Tour and Transport.

Domestic tourists, mostly from other cities on Java island, have apparently been discouraged by the fuel shortages and the rising price of gas.

People have become reluctant to spend money on leisure activities with the government set to raise the price of oil- based fuels on Oct. 1, which will consequently reduce people's purchasing power. Most people apparently know prefer to save money to anticipate the rising prices of basic necessities following the fuel price hikes, said Alim.

Domestic tourists had also been discouraged from visiting Yogya as many travel agents had already raised the prices of their packages ahead of the fuel price hikes, which are set for Oct. 1, said Alim.

The chairman of the Yogyakarta branch of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Stev. B Indarto, confirmed that the number of tourists visiting Yogya had declined in the past week.

"I have heard some travel agents complain about a decrease in domestic tourists but I haven't got the exact figures," said Stev. Each year, up to 1.6 million domestic tourists visit Yogya. However, he also said that the number of foreign tourists visiting Yogya has held steady in the past week.

Marwoto, the manager of Kresna Tourist Service, which provides packages to foreign tourists, said his company had not been affected by the fuel crisis and was still serving at least seven customers a week. Between Sept. 25 and Sept. 29, the Kresna Tourist Service had arranged travel and accommodation for 33 foreign tourists, he said.