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Letter: Ailing tourism industry
Sat, 11/29/2008 11:26 AM | Reader's Forum
With overwhelming sadness, frustration and bewilderment, those associated with the tourist industry and the concerned, forward thinking citizens of Indonesia must again face another example of this government doing just about everything possible to discourage visitors to this country.
Just a few notable examples (and the list could go on), include: The ongoing saga of the visa on arrival regulations that insists tourists leave the country after less than one month; poor infrastructure, trains, buses and roads; chaotic airport management with appalling facilities; a littering and pollution epidemic; an over zealous and unhelpful police force and almost no easily accessible information or advise.
Combine this with the effort by some to soil everything beautiful about Indonesia, coupled with a general lack of active national pride, and you have a very shaky foundation upon which to build a tourist industry.
In comparison to our Asian neighbors, the level of professionalism in managing and promoting tourism in Indonesia is quite obviously poor in most areas. The fact that businesses in the tourist industry are now unable to import goods necessary to service their client's needs seems another step in the right direction for killing off Indonesia's ailing foreign tourism industry completely.
As the tourist dollar, pound, yen becomes more and more scarce over the next months, even years, it is more than a possibility that Indonesia will not be at the top of tourist lists for destinations.
For a country with so many possibilities, with so much to offer, and a population with such an obvious need, it is all just so very, very sad.
MICHAEL JOHNSEY
Jakarta
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Graham Edwards (not verified) — Sat, 12/06/2008 - 10:27pm
Gede Seputra is spot on. I just saw the "Visit Jakarta" ad on Singapore TV yesterday. As an ex Jakarta resident for 6 years I cringed - it is by far the worst in a long line of laughable tourism ad campaigns but the latest resembles a high school drama class project.
Robert Kogler (not verified) — Thu, 12/04/2008 - 4:24am
In times of world wide recession nobody needs to worry about the tourists are coming to Indonesia. the one who have money will come quietly anyhow; the noise and troublemakers will be sorted out by the new regulations. Salam John Sarageh Saleh
Jose Dinoy (not verified) — Tue, 12/02/2008 - 5:04pm
Add to all these woes the pathetic, recent TV advertisement which seems to promote visiting Jakarta. What a waste! and what misinformation!!
Gede Seputra (not verified) — Mon, 12/01/2008 - 8:32pm
Indonesian authorities seem to be intent upon shooting themselves in the foot these days. I have no idea who the "winners" will be by their actions. On the other hand, the "losers" will be many.
One of the silliest TV advertisements I've seen in a long time is currently being broadcast through Indovision. It's called something like "Only Jakarta". It is boring, extremely amateurish and embarrassing. That it's endorsed and funded by the government is a crying shame. What a waste of tax-payers' money.
Zuber (not verified) — Sun, 11/30/2008 - 8:19am
I dont know what Indonesian Government is upto. If they need to promote tourism, they really need professional help of their neighbors.. Malaysia and Singapore. I have visited Indonesia twice and it is indeed a very beautiful country. Hailing from India, I have seen the way Malaysian government promotes tourism here. There was such a lovely television advertisement showcasing Malaysia as "Truly Asia". I know Indonesia has potential, but sheer lethargy of Indonesian Government is to blame and in turn loss of essential foreign tourist.
High time to for Indonesian tourism industry to pull up its socks.
A.mulders (not verified) — Sat, 11/29/2008 - 3:31pm
I comply completely with the letter of Mr. Johnsey.
However the Indonesian Government is wether deaf or blind because they are not willing to improve any of the remarks made.
It seems to me that they are not interested to take actions to bring Indonesia in a better shape and compareble with their neighbours.