Jayawijaya tourism drops

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The severe dry season has not only resulted in a lack of water in the Jayawijaya regency but also a fall in the number of tourists to the area.

The head of the Jayawijaya tourism office, Arnold Tunkudung, said the number of tourists arriving in the area has been halved in the past few months.

He said some 2,000 tourists usually visit the regency each month, but now there are only about 1,000.

Antara reported yesterday that the situation has been exacerbated by disrupted flights to and from Jayawijaya caused by the haze.

Forest and brush fires have spread widely throughout the country including some areas in Irian Jaya resulting in subsequent haze-related problems. The regency of Jayawijaya has also been hit by drought-related deaths with the toll now up to 461. (mds)