New slogan hoped to boost Indonesian tourist sector

New slogan hoped to boost Indonesian tourist sector

Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

With a new theme for the tourist sector, the Office of the
State Minister for Culture and Tourism is setting optimistic
targets for the sector, despite possible adverse effects from the
upcoming elections and a new visa policy.

The new theme, Indonesia: Ultimate in Diversity, emphasizes
the archipelago's cultural diversity and abundant natural
attractions. The theme is expected to be used to promote the
country's tourist sector until 2009.

"We would like to build an image abroad of a fascinating
Indonesia, while also showing how harmonious we are despite the
diversity," said State Minister for Culture and Tourism I Gede
Ardika on Thursday during the launch of the new theme, held in
conjunction with the office's three-day annual coordination
meeting.

With the new theme, Ardika said his office was optimistic of
reaching its target of 5.10 million foreign tourist arrivals and
US$5.15 billion in revenue in 2004.

The office's secretary, Sapta Nirwandar, said they were also
projecting an average increase of 9.7 percent in tourist arrivals
and 10.5 percent in revenue, for a total of 7.40 million foreign
tourist arrivals and $7.70 billion in revenue by 2008.

According to data from the office of the state minister, the
Central Statistics Agency and the Ministry of Justice and Human
Right's Directorate General of Immigration, last year saw 3.69
million foreign tourist arrivals with a total revenue of US$3.33
billion.

Commenting on the possible negative impacts the upcoming
elections could have on tourism, Ardika said so far there were no
indications that the sector would be affected.

He also proposed a "cultural approach" to the election
campaigning, which will last from Mar. 11 to April 1.

"Wouldn't it be more attractive if the campaigns were street
carnivals and art happenings?" Ardika said.

Regarding the government's new visa policy, Ardika said the
tourist sector had yet to see a negative impact.

"Tourists will still come if a destination is attractive,
despite the country's visa policy. However, if the policy should
prove to have a negative affect on the sector in the long run, my
office will be ready to propose that it be reviewed," he said.

In February, the government enacted a new visa-on-arrival
policy. Visitors from 18 countries who previously enjoyed
free visas for a stay of up to 60 days now have to pay $25 for a
stay of up to 30 days.

During a hearing on Tuesday with House of Representatives
Commission VI for religious, education, culture and tourist
affairs, Ardika said the new visa policy had not caused a
significant decrease in foreign tourist arrivals, and that some
of the Rp 16.3 billion (US$1.92 million) in revenue from the new
visa policy might be used for tourism promotion.

Using data from immigration officers at the Ngurah Rai airport
in Denpasar, Bali, Ardika said that from Feb. 1 to Feb. 23, a
total of 67,243 foreign tourists had arrived at the airport.

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency, the
total number of foreign tourist arriving at the airport in
January was 109,613.