Less tourists visit Baliem

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Baliem Valley has seen an 80 percent drop in the number of foreign tourists since the end of its kidnapping saga in May.

The head of the local tourism, post and telecommunications office, Poernomo, told Antara yesterday that the decline could cause hotels and other tourist operations to cut back their staff.

"In years past prior to August, the hotel rooms in Wamena have been fully booked. But since the kidnapping all the hotels in Wamena have been quite deserted," Poernomo said.

Apart from the hotels, the whole local tourist industry has been hit hard. Craftsmen have also been unable to sell their works.

The drop in tourist numbers was caused by the kidnap of several foreign and local researchers by Irianese separatists. They were finally released in a military operation in May. (mds)