Several museums observed by The Jakarta Post on Thursday have not yet drawn up any programs to support the campaign.

At the Renon, Denpasar-based Bajra Sandi Museum, also known as the Monument of the Balinese People’s Struggle, there was only a small banner strung up near the entrance to inform people about the campaign.

Museum employee Made Adi said he had not received any instructions from the museum board.

“We haven’t been briefed on that, so we’re just doing our jobs as usual,” he said.

It was a similar scene at the Bali Museum, which houses several historical relics from across the island.

The museum board has not put up any sign promoting the campaign.

Launched on Dec. 31, 2009, the campaign was part of the bigger Visit Indonesia campaign. It is aimed at increasing public appreciation of museums as part of the country’s heritage, as well as drawing more tourists.

The Visit Museum 2010 campaign also marks the start of the National Campaign to Love Museums, which runs from 2010 to 2014.

Under the national campaign, officials hope to paint a new image of museums as less stuffy and more attractive.

Museums nationwide will par-ticipate in the Visit Museum campaign, with focused programs in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali and North Sumatra.

Throughout the year, 89 museums across the country will hold a variety of various events, including exhibitions of local cultures, traditional ceremonies and art performances.

Bali Tourism Agency promotions head I.G.N. Ambara said Visit Museum 2010, including activities held during the program, had not been officially launched in Bali, which boasts dozens of state and private museums.

“We’ve always promoted these museums during visits to other provinces and countries, but we haven’t organized a special campaign yet,” he said.

Ambara said his agency had been allocated Rp 4.1 billion this year, the same amount as last year, leaving no additional budget for the Visit Museum campaign.

He added the agency was fully aware that museums were not a top tourism draw on the resort island.

Bali’s myriad natural tourism sites, including its beaches, and its rich culture and art have long made it the country’s most important tourism destination.

“Tourists from the Netherlands, France and other European countries still include museums on their travel itineraries, so if we can promote our museums the right way, they can add to the island’s overall draw,” Ambara said.

He added the tourism agency would work with the provincial education agency to arrange museum field trips for local students, either as part of learning activities or simply as a day out.

“We’ll recommend that schools throughout Bali take their students to a museum at least once a year,” Ambara said.

“We’ll also organize similar programs for students outside the province.”

He added cooperation with tour operators and MICE (Meeting, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) organizers would also be sought to bring more visitors to the island’s museums.

The latter, he went on, would have to spruce up their services and facilities.

Indonesian Association of Travel Agencies (Asita) Bali chairman Aloysius Purwa said the group welcomed the campaign, adding every site in Bali had tourism potential, including museums.

However, he also pointed out they needed to improve their services if they wanted to draw more visitors.

“Museums should up their game, including enhancing the management, cleanliness and human resources,” he said.

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