International surveyors optimistic over Indonesia
Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Jakarta's status as an international conference destination may not be on par as yet with Singapore or Hong Kong.
And with a string of deadly bombings in recent years -- which exposes security problems and further hurt the already dwindling confidence on security after the massive riots in 1998 -- it's hard to argue otherwise.
But, to some people, the situation here is not so bad.
Just ask Markku Villikka, director at the Kopenhagen-based International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) -- which just completed its third Asia-Pacific regional conference in Jakarta, grouping together nearly 400 participants from 35 countries.
"The problem with Indonesia is that, the country is not fully known. When we get news about Indonesia, they are bad ones.
"But when people do get here, the reality is quite different and I think people who have come here, or have better knowledge about Indonesia, are confident they can organize good events here. It's pretty much about image and about knowing the country," he said on Wednesday, the last day of the conference held at the JW Marriott hotel.
Villikka recalled debates among members over whether to go on with the plan to hold the conference in Jakarta, after a series of bombs attacks -- from the Bali bombing in 2002, the Marriot bomb in the following year, and to the bombing in front of the Australian Embassy last month.
Even at that time, he urged other members to proceed with the plan. "We cannot condemn the whole nation based on individual incidents and that things like these can happen anywhere in the world."
"We only had problems with cancellations the Canadian, Australian, U.S. and UK chapters -- that's mainly because of the travel (advisories). The rest decided to go on and today we can say that we have made the right decision."
Communication and publicity about the country should then be key to get Jakarta back on the international radar when it comes to holding a global convention, because facilities and costs- wise, Jakarta remains competitive.
"For the good technical facilities, and how well the local organizing committee and people have treated us and how they organized the conference -- Jakarta, and Indonesia, is of excellent value of money.
"The quality of the conference, the services and professional quality, is absolutely among the best we've had," Villikka added.
Indra Sukirno, executive director at the Jakarta Convention Bureau (JCB) -- a state-appointed marketing consultant in charge of promoting the city as a global convention destination, was hopeful that things would get better for Jakarta in the future.
"The FIG's convention here should serve as an indicator that more international associations can hold their conventions here," she said, adding that FIG's convention was the first that JCB had won via a bidding process since the crisis.
The global conference industry is seen as lucrative, not only because it has plenty of multiplier-effects on the economy, but because it also provides a chance for a transfer of knowledge between foreigners and Indonesians.
By comparison, in 1998, the riots in Jakarta prompted massive cancellations of conferences. "It was worth some US$20 million in potential revenue. You can imagine how lucrative this industry can be," Indra said.
For Villikka however, things should get better for Jakarta in the future. "If people ask me, I would certainly say that we've had a conference in Jakarta, and despite the earlier problems, it was a great success.
"I'm more than happy to recommend Jakarta for a conference destination."