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.