New tourist visa policy
Further to various letters in The Jakarta Post regarding the Indonesian government's new tourist visa policy, I can only say how valid the points are that they have raised.
I recently retired after spending the majority of my working life overseas including the last ten years in Indonesia. Although British, I would much prefer to spend much of my time in a warm climate rather than that in UK especially the cold winter.
Currently I am visiting friends here in Indonesia and staying on a tourist visa for 60 days. This I would hope to renew after a short trip to a nearby country, as I really prefer being here where I feel most at home. Whilst in Indonesia I will spend at least US$2,000 a month; virtually all on Indonesian goods and services not fares to foreign airlines or accommodation in 5 star hotels of overseas chains. In addition I do purchase larger items locally (such as a laptop computer), so in total I am likely to spend in Indonesia around $20,000 in a year.
There are of course alternative countries to Indonesia where I can stay but this is really my preferred choice. However if I can only stay for a maximum of 30 days, must pay for a visa, then have to leave and cannot return for some time, it becomes less and less attractive to me. I would prefer to spend my money staying and traveling in Indonesia but once I leave I might as well go somewhere such as Malaysia, Thailand or even Australia.
It would seem therefore with the new visa policy, Indonesia is likely to lose the majority of my annual spending; not a lot individually but I am sure there are many others in similar situations and the total loss will not be unsubstantial.
Some comments have been made that the profile of tourists to Indonesia has changed considerably in recent years and that budget travelers form a far less important part of these. However I would comment that, in general, whilst budget travelers do not spend as much as those staying in expensive resorts, virtually all they do spend stays within Indonesia and supports the lower income section of the people.
Hopefully for all local business tied to the tourist industry as well as the Indonesian economy, there will be some serious rethinking.
R.H. BARKER Tangerang, Banten