Your comments on the disappearance of imported foods from hotels, restaurants and supermarkets because of tightened import restrictions.
Another disaster for Bali. Tourists go on holiday to enjoy Bali, including the wonderful restaurants and night life. Wine and spirits are essential. Thailand, Malaysia Vietnam, and Singapore do not treat their guests so poorly. This is supposed to be "Visit Indonesia Year 2008".
MIKE CAROL
Denpasar
As long as tourism is still one of the backbones of our economy then our government should facilitate the importation of relevant commodities which are necessary to enhance tourist attractions and accommodation.
All relevant government sectors should be more accommodative in this situation and make sure we provide all possible means to enhance the attraction for tourists. Let Bali be Bali, and Manado be Manado. Let us give tourism our support in every way possible.
MOELJONO ADIKOESOEMO
Jakarta
We live in Singapore and just paid Rp 4 million for 12 bottles of average Chilean wine we had never heard of on a visit to Bali, which was all the shop could offer.
We are required to pay a tax on arrival, a tax on departure, and now we cannot even get a bottle of wine at a sensible price in Bali.
We have decided to visit Bali less now, and when we come, we are going to be sure to bring a bottle of liquor each, and drink cocktails so we are not held hostage to this ludicrous situation in the future.
TIM ROBINS
Singapore
A recent news article stated that the business community in Indonesia was hoping the government would provide economic stimuli to offset the impacts of the global financial crisis on the domestic economy. Perhaps this is also the rationale behind restrictions on imported foods and beverages -- to remove competition for local products.
The problem is that the imported foods which have been restricted often have no local equivalent or substitute. Consumers simply do without, and the government loses a potential source of tax revenue. The end result, as with many of the government's policies, is to make foreigners feel frustrated and unwelcome in Indonesia.
Typically, expatriates in Indonesia are well-off financially. Thus they have the resources to purchase high-priced, non-essential items, even during the current economic crisis. Are these the people the government wants to alienate and drive out of Indonesia, precisely when the positive effects of spending are most needed?
ANRIENNE LAROCQUE
Jakarta
This could be a blessing in disguise. This is an opportunity for hotels and restaurants to increase spending on local goods. Using the local produce would help our economy.
The hotels and restaurants should identify and develop local entrepreneurs so they can benefit from the tourism related business development. These local entrepreneurs could supply the goods continually and probably at cheaper prices. When supplies are cheap, hotels and restaurants can charge tourists with competitive rates.
The government, especially the local government, should also assist local entrepreneurs with the necessary technology to produce and market the required goods. If it is at all possible the government should impose high tariffs on imports goods.
Foreign tourists are here, I believe to enjoy the things that they can't get in their own countries including foods and beverages. If local foods and beverages are of good quality and are competitively priced, the tourists may stay longer and come back again for future holidays.
The Indonesian tourism board should also use Indonesia's diverse foods and beverages to promote Indonesia. Remember, we have to compete with other countries to attract foreign visitors, and locally prepared quality foods and beverages could be a unique proposition.
HENDRY D. SINGGALANG
Jakarta
I bought a box of Jack Daniel's Bourbon Whiskey on the black market in Bali because it's not available in East Java where I live. Unfortunately the bottles where watered down by between 30 and 40 percent.
They tasted weird and I still had an original bottle I bought in Kuala Lumpur and comparing them the color was very different.
Anyway, I had to pay almost twice as much on the black market compared to what a used to pay at a convenience store. At least the bottles of Jack Daniel at the convenient store where original and they were not tampered with.
The point is, I don't want to buy crap on the black market. I want to pay an honest price for it legally. But now the government forces people to look for alternatives. And in the end, everybody loses.
The Tax office is missing out on tax revenue, importers and resellers are out of business and worst of all, I have to drink "aqua juiced" Jack Daniel.
EKYAH
Surabaya
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|