PATA membership needed

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association's (PHRI) Bali chapter has asked the government to maintain Indonesia's membership in the international tourism organization Pacific-Asia Travel Association (PATA).

"Quitting from PATA will negatively affect Indonesia's tourism sector. The sector is expected to help start the recovery of the country's economy," PHRI Bali branch president I Gede Wiratha was quoted by Antara as saying on Friday.

Gede, however, said that Bali would not be much affected by the government-planned move, but he was concerned about other provinces, such as Lampung and Irian Jaya, where tourism industries are still at the development stage.

"If it is only because of the US$36,000 annual membership fee, it is so ridiculous to quit the association. The government could talk to the big players in the hotel industry in Jakarta or Bali," he said.(udi)