Govt kicks out campaign to boost tourism

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.