RI tourism facing stiff rivalry

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)