RI tourism facing stiff rivalry

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia, anticipating stiffer competition from neighboring countries in the Southeast Asian region, will promote its tourist industry consistently with adequate approaches, an executive said.

"We don't have to worry if some countries in the Southeast Asian region join hand-in-hand to promote their tourist industries together," chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board Tanri Abeng said Wednesday.

Several countries crossed by the Mekong River -- Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and China -- agreed last month in Bangkok to set up a joint tourism board to cooperate in the promotions and developments of the tourist industry.

The establishment of the tourism board of the countries the Mekong crosses through was pioneered by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Tanri said Wednesday: "Don't panic. But, we have to move more quickly."

He said that the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board recently completed a research on Indonesia's tourism products.

"Based on the research results, we can rearrange the products and improve efficiency in order to avoid costly prices."

Indonesia last year saw the arrivals of 4.3 million foreign tourists, bringing in some US$5.2 billion in revenues for the country.

The country has targeted the tourist industry as a major foreign exchange earner with total revenues estimated to reach $15 billion from 11 million visitors in 2005.

In comparison, Thailand, with a well-promoted tourist industry, last year received 6.9 million visitors, while Vietnam expects to attract 1.7 million tourists this year and 3.5 million in 2000.

Meanwhile, Director General of Tourism Andi Mappi Sammeng said Wednesday that Indonesia must anticipate competition from the Mekong River countries.

"I think, however, it will take a longer time for the countries in preparing human resources to improve services," he said.

As in Vietnam, tourists still face difficulties in Laos and Myanmar due to the poor quality of accommodation, the limited number of hotel staff and guides who can speak English, transportation problems, bureaucracy and a lack of infrastructure. (icn)