'RI fails to convince ecotourists'

'RI fails to convince ecotourists'

JAKARTA: Indonesia's proposed ecotourism industry has failed
to attract foreign tourists as many questioned the government's
commitment to preservation of the environment, says the head of
the tourist association.

"Foreign tourists who prefer adventure are reluctant to visit
ecotourism sites as they consider Indonesia to be insincere in
the area of natural conservation as exemplified by the rampant
illegal logging," said Meity Robot, who chairs the Indonesia
Tourism and Travel Agents Association (ASITA).

She was speaking after the signing of Memorandum of
Understanding on ecotourism between ASITA and the Nature
Conservation and Forest Protection Directorate General of the
Ministry of Forestry on Monday.

In fact, Meity said, Indonesia possesses many potential
natural sites for ecotourism, which tourists from the Asia-
Pacific region, Europe and the U.S. are looking for.

Indonesia has 41 national parks and 103 tourism parks. --
Antara