Governor launches new tourism program
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.