Tourism potential

By opening the Bintan tourist resort the Indonesian government has acknowledged tourism as having major foreign exchange potential. The government hopes to have 11 million tourists visit Indonesia in 2005, earning US$15 billion. The income is expected to improve the people's welfare through the creation of jobs.

To achieve this target the government should support and intensify efforts to make Indonesia the first-choice destination in Asia. Complete tourist information would be a beginning. Attractive brochures should be made available in all Indonesian embassies abroad coupled with information on the availability of good and convenient transport and hotel accommodations. Each province should also clean up their towns.

Jakarta's city administration should set up more parks, arts centers and have a second landmark after the national monument. Like Lombard Street in San Francisco, Jakarta could have a scenic road with a variety of flowers and plants unique to Indonesia. There should be statues, preferably ones that refer to such great epics as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The first Mahabharata statue could be placed at Soekarno-Hatta airport, another episode at Grogol and the last part of the story might take place in Taman Mini. We have already have one artistic work from the Mahabharata -- the Arjuna Wijaya (Victorious Arjuna) at the end of Jl. Merdeka Barat, in front of the Indosat building.

The Jakarta administration's plan to develop northern Jakarta -- the fish market, Glodok and its surroundings -- into a "Jakarta of the Past" tourist spot is laudable and feasible. This area will offer a number of ancient buildings bequeathed by the colonialists. To this we should add proper and well-designed restaurants.

Every Jakartan has high expectations for this ever growing city.

HENDRIK SETIAWAN

Jakarta