Jakarta, a tourist haven

From Neraca

I noticed a banner in Pasaraya Sultan Agung. I was more puzzled afterwards when a radio broadcast announced a tourist sale in Pasaraya.

The sale expanded to Ramayana, Matahari, even Walmart. So why don't we make Jakarta a shopping city, since most malls are holding jumbo sales.

Tourist shopping is, in my opinion, a huge project to be tackled together. Why is such an important project not being promoted by the department of tourism? Promotion efforts could be extended to Bandung, Bogor, Yogyakarta and to other major cities. Or promotions could be held abroad. Jakarta could then compete with Singapore, which is Southeast Asia's shopping center.

Jakarta now has more tourists than Singapore. But why has Jakarta not become the choice for shopping? We should look for the reason. Not only retail would benefit, but also hotels, the tax office, transport and restaurants.

It would be nice if the idea to make Jakarta a shopping center could be put into practice.

DEDI SUDJONO

Jakarta