Semarang touts 'old city'

SEMARANG: Two Australian architects will survey the `Old City' district in Semarang this month to probe the possibility of turning it into a tourist attraction.

Slamet Riyadi, the head of Urban Affairs of Semarang mayoralty, said that Richard A. Hosling and Ronald G. Boker are currently in town as part of the officials' exchange program between Semarang and Brisbane. The administrations of the two towns are currently working to establish "sister-city" relations.

Slamet noted that Brisbane had already turned its old town district into a tourist attraction, Antara reported.

Harini, the mayoralty chief spokesperson, said there are 60 buildings, built during the Dutch colonial period, in the old city that are bound to be of interest to tourists.

The mayoralty is also considering a series of festivals in the old city to bolster tourism, she said. (emb)