Tourism show held to counter protests
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)