Tourism show held to counter protests
JAKARTA (JP): Amid the wave of anti-America protests in the country, the city administration and the Jakarta Tourism Board are hosting an exhibition on tourism in an effort to show the world that the country is still conducive for tourism.
The three-day Jakarta Tourism Show 2001 which opened on Friday is being held at the Jakarta Convention Center in Central Jakarta.
"Through this event, we hope to promote Indonesia as a favorable tourist destination and demonstrate that the situation in the country is not as bad as it seems," Minister of Culture and Administration I Gede Ardika told reporters after the opening of the exhibition.
He acknowledged that the recent protests by certain Islamic groups had a negative impact on the tourist industry, but the minister did not consider these acts as a security threat.
"The activities of these groups are detrimental to the country's image ... but they are just a minority group which doesn't represent the whole of Indonesia," he said.
Although the ministry had yet to receive official data indicating how seriously the protests have affected the tourist sector in the country, Ardika said he had received reports from travel agents and airlines that there was a significant decline in the number of tourists since the World Trade Center attack on Sept. 11.
On Thursday, individuals representing tourism related businesses staged a peaceful protest against the recent anti- America actions by certain groups.
Waitresses and travel agents who participated in the demonstration, voiced their concern over the negative impact of the protests.
Meanwhile, Governor Sutiyoso voiced concern over the recent demonstrations and searches.
"People will be afraid to visit our country. That kind of action will only jeopardize our position in the international community," he said.
The tourist exhibition displays various traditional handicrafts and showcases tourist destinations near the Greater Jakarta area, such as Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands).
A number of local airlines, hotels, and insurance companies also participated in the exhibition.(06)