Team selects tour agents for Chinese visitors

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)