Who is out to destroy tourism?
Anger, confusion and disbelief -- this is what the tourist industry, as well as the expatriate community, experienced recently, when the Indonesian government revoked the visa-free- entry for tourists from 48 countries.
New fees, new bureaucratic procedures and red tape -- who would believe that an ailing tourism industry that employs and feeds hundreds of thousands of people, could be supported by immigration regulations that would make it more difficult and unpleasant to visit Indonesia?
In contrast, arriving visitors to Thailand are offered candy at the immigration counter, and their immigration is processed in less than 3 minutes (I have first-hand knowledge of this).
The new regulations -- I dare to predict -- will deeply affect tourism and related businesses; small-scale tourism which serves regions beyond the main destinations of Bali and Java, in particular, will suffer severely. These regions attract younger guests -- budget travelers who tend to stay longer, are interested in discovering the riches of Indonesia's culture and nature, and who have come a long ways for it.
The government claims reasons of national security, and there is talk of national pride and equality between nations.
Well, it seems that what endangers peace and justice in this country is entirely of the making of its own people.
Extremism, communalism, lawlessness and insecurity are home- made. No foreign power nor foreign individuals are threatening Indonesia's integrity. Drug dealing and illegal businesses, such as smuggling and logging, are police matters and should be handled by law enforcement.
No drug smuggler will care about higher visa fees, but the family of four who is planning a holiday to Indonesia will reconsider: US$50 per head for an entry visa, the cost of which would mean more days of accommodation and fun in other countries.
Developed countries are widely contributing their taxpayers' money to support the Indonesian economy. What Indonesian chauvinists tend to forget easily, is that the money the country receives and spends from the IMF, the World Bank and numerous other agencies and governments is money from ordinary taxpayers.
My own country, Germany, has granted not only debt-relief, but also supports various projects all over Indonesia. Most EU countries are doing the same. So the foreign money is welcome, but the foreigners are not.
It is in the national interest of Indonesia to open up to more visitors, who should be treated as welcomed guests. And if there is a problem of abuse or crime, then it should be a problem for the police, not for immigration.
STEFAN REISNER Ubud, Bali