Governor launches new tourism program
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Governor Sutiyoso launched on Thursday "Experience Jakarta", a two-month long domestic tourism program designed to attract more leisure tourists to the capital.
The program, which will run from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, is aimed at boosting the number of domestic tourists.
Sutiyoso said during the kick-off of the program was an effort to revive tourism in Jakarta, which has been dealt a blow by terrorism, particularly the bombing of the JW Marriott Hotel in South Jakarta on Aug. 5 that claimed 12 lives and injured 147 others.
The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) had said earlier this month that "the bomb blast dealt only a temporary shock", as the number of foreign tourist arrivals in the capital rose slightly to 368,217 in August from 364,952 in July.
"Tourism is very important for the city's revenue. It (the campaign) is one of the city administration's efforts to lure more visitors. If more tourists come, it will be a sign to other potential tourists that Jakarta is once again safe," Sutiyoso said.
A report from the City Tourism Agency says that around nine million domestic tourists visited the capital last year, compared to the number of foreign tourists which was only 1.7 million in the same period.
However, in the first semester of 2003, the number of tourist arrivals in Jakarta was down by 24 percent compared to the same period last year.
"Experience Jakarta" will promote a variety of activities, including a shopping spree at over 200 stores with discounts up to 70 percent, holiday packages offered by more than 20 hotels in the capital and golfing packages at the city's top golf courses.
Head of the tourism agency Aurora Tambunan said that the program was targeted at domestic tourists because "they make the greatest contribution to the city's revenue."
However, the future program would also be expanded to attract more foreigners to the city, she said.
The campaign will be sponsored by Visa International, which has successfully endorsed similar programs neighboring countries, including the Singapore Great Sale and the Thailand Grand Sale.