Govt kicks out campaign to boost tourism
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
In a bid to boost tourism revenues in the country, the government announced 2005-2006 as the Year of Indonesian Arts and Culture on Sunday, with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono kicking off a cultural parade in Jakarta.
"I declare 2005-2006 to be the Year of Indonesian Arts and Culture," Susilo told a colorful ceremony marking the beginning of the year.
Accompanied by First Lady Kristiani Herawati, Susilo then gave the go-ahead to about 2,500 performers who began a parade around the National Monument in Central Jakarta.
The parade featured art works and performances from 32 provinces across the country and was watched by thousands of Jakartans, who packed nearby streets to watch for free.
Campaign organizer, Ministry of Culture and Tourism secretary- general Sapta Nirwandar, said the government wanted regional administrations to hold separate events to promote regional art and culture in their districts.
"We do hope that all local administrations throughout the country will revive arts and cultural performances in their respective regions to boost tourism," he said.
The campaign's primary aim was to attract more domestic and foreign tourists to travel in Indonesia, he said, without giving details on the specifics.
"If all regions of Indonesia -- which is home to a great diversity of ethnic groups, races and cultures -- support (the campaign), it will become a new phenomenon. Tourists will certainly be attracted to come and enjoy (the events)."
The government has recently instituted a series of policies to boost tourism in Indonesia, which has been struggling to restore its international image after a series of bomb attacks blamed on the regional Jamaah Islamiyah terror network and the recent tsunami disaster.
As of Aug. 1 this year, the government extended the visa-on- arrival facility for foreign tourists to 33 countries from the original 20, and opened new visa-on-arrival booths in many sea and airports across the country.
Countries now eligible include India, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Austria, Ireland and Greece.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, meanwhile, has set an ambitious target to attract some six million visitors this year, targeting US$5.8 billion in foreign exchange from the industry.
From January to June this year, the authorities recorded the arrivals of 2.5 million visitors. In the same period last year, there were only 2.13 million tourists recorded.
The new total would be higher than 2004's total, when only about 5.3 million people entered the country, generating $5 billion in foreign exchange.
Also in attendance at the Sunday event were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, his wife Mufidah Kalla, Minister of Home Affairs M. Ma'ruf, Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono, National Police chief Gen. Sutanto, Minister of Transportation Hatta Radjasa and Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik and Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso.