Slogan introduced with 'Abang-None'

Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta

The announcement of Abang (Mister) and None (Miss) Jakarta 2004 on Sunday night differed from pageants of previous years, as it coincided with the launching of a new slogan for the city, "Enjoy Jakarta."

With the introduction of the new slogan and the selection of Abang and None, who will act as the city's ambassadors, the administration hopes for an influx of foreign tourists.

Amid cheering, Imam Priyono and Rizka Ismailia Puteri of Central Jakarta were declared Abang and None at the Jakarta Convention Center's Plenary Hall. The pair defeated 17 others from five municipalities and the Thousand Islands regency.

The seven-member jury explored candidates' personality, performance, communication and public relations skills, as well as knowledge on Betawi (Jakarta ethnic) culture and tourism.

Head of the city tourism agency Aurora Tambunan said the elected pair would become reliable tourism ambassadors for the city, which needed serious promotion.

"I hope the new Abang-None will be our frontline tourism campaigners. We have everything here, but we have not engaged in serious promotion. With our new slogan, we will be more serious."

According to Aurora, the agency would use the "Enjoy Jakarta" slogan to promote the tourist industry through various means, including advertising, cooperation with airlines, hotels, and restaurants, as well as special packages for tourists.

Deputy chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (Asita) Jongki Adiyasa, welcomed the administration's wish to intensify the promotion of the tourist industry, but stressed the need to improve facilities.

He said, it was not necessarily true that a large amount of money would need to be forked out. For the time being, the city administration could start with small projects, such as upgrading the existing tourist destinations.

He said that Glodok in Central Jakarta, which is also known as Jakarta's China town, was once a popular shopping destination. "But, now many tourists fear going to the area due to security concerns. I think the administration should give attention to that problem," he told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

He said a number of heritage sites in the vicinity, such as the Jakarta Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Outlook Tower, the fish market and the old Sunda Kelapa port, could be integrated to form an interesting leisure destination.

"In the long run, we expect there will be reliable transportation connecting those areas with the Thousand Islands," he added.

The city tourism agency says that only 8 percent of tourists come to the city for leisure, while 92 percent, for business.

Last year, around 1.1 million tourists visited Jakarta, while this year the administration is targeting 1.4 million. According to Aurora, nearly one million tourists had already visited the city by June.