Team selects tour agents for Chinese visitors

JAKARTA (JP): A special team established by the government and the Association of Indonesian and Tour and Travel Agencies (Asita) is selecting local tour operators who will be authorized to serve Chinese tourists, Minister of Culture and Tourism I Gde Ardika said on Tuesday.

The minister said that the team was conducting the selection process based on requirements outlined by the Chinese government.

"We don't have any intention to restrict the number of tour operators permitted to handle Chinese tourists.

"This is just a preliminary control measure requested by the Chinese government to ensure that their citizens will not be exposed to illegitimate tour fees," Ardika said.

He did not specify when the special team was expected to finish its selection process, but said that tourists are expected to start arriving from China some time in July or August.

Many countries are expecting a surge in tourism from China following an increase in that country's economic prosperity.

In April this year, China designated Indonesia as an official tourist destination for its citizens.

Unlike other countries, Chinese tourists are only recommended to visit countries included in the list provided by its government.

The Chinese government, however, set some requirements for Indonesian tour operators to serve its citizens, including the need for certified Mandarin-speaking guides and tour packages that clearly outline destinations and prices.

Local travel agents should also collaborate with a counterpart in China and obtain clearance from the Chinese government and the Indonesian embassy in Beijing.

Ardika earlier stated that some 65 travel agents in China had been authorized to assist Chinese citizens who wished to visit Indonesia and that they would be held responsible for the arrival and departure of their clients.

Ardika said some 1.3 million tourists from China were expected to arrive every year following Indonesia's acknowledgment as a tourist destination, compared to only 20,000 tourists per year until now.

Ardika explained that the Indonesian government would restrict the number of Chinese tourists visiting Indonesia this year to between 200,000 and 300,000 due to the industry's inability to cope with such a sudden escalation in the number of Chinese tourists. (tnt)