Jan. 21, p. 6
Government officials at all levels claim Indonesia’s tourism is doing well, with each year seeing robust advancements. On the contrary, however, all the data indicates how dismally Indonesia’s tourism has done this past decade. In the last 12 years to 2007, tourist numbers fluctuated between 4 million and 5 million visitors.
The average length of stay has declined, from 10 days in 1997 to barely 8.5 days in 2008. Worst yet is how Indonesia compares with neighboring Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, which last year attracted 10 million, 15 million and 22 million visitors respectively.
How can such a huge discrepancy have occurred? How is it that Indonesia, brimming with such wealth in culture and natural beauty, attracts only a quarter of the tourists that basically barren Malaysia does? This tragedy seems to have its source in the early 1980s, when Indonesia, strapped for funds, pointed to the already world-famous Bali as its tourist cash cow. Since then little has changed. As a result, Indonesia’s tourist attraction has been practically limited to Bali, with devastating consequences. (By Anak Agung Gde Agung, Jakarta)
Your comments:
There is much natural beauty in Indonesia. Unfortunately white, sandy beaches are often spotted with broken light bulbs, floating slippers and instant noodle wrappers. This is something that many Indonesians have become accustomed to, but which puts off and frustrates many foreign tourists.
Schnorkel
Jakarta
The author has mentioned some real treasures of tourism destinations in Indonesia. Many other gems can be found on most islands of the archipelago. The potential for tourism in Indonesia is definitely untapped. A few attributes needed are imagination, innovation, cooperation and coordination between the minister and the provinces.
Barry Acott
Australia
Well said. Some very valid points brought up, and more importantly some solutions. Too often we see people complaining, but offering no solutions to help out.
Simon Bradshaw
Jakarta
This has all been said before. Every word in this article and in the responses, over years and years —
all has been said over and over again. Everybody has heard all the sound-bites, seen all the pathetic attempts at promotional campaigns that have no substance, just dreamed-up nonsense.
Every obvious obstacle, from visa restrictions to the lack of facilities, all have been talked of endlessly. Empty rhetoric has been regurgitated until nobody listens anymore. Grand promises and ridiculous claims made with not a hint of embarrassment by everybody from the top down.
Anybody who knows anything about Indonesia knows exactly what the problem is.
It is the same problem that infects everything else in Indonesia that is holding the country back and stopping its development.
Didi Karjadi
Bandung
I have been to Indonesia six times over the past 35 years, so obviously I love it. But Indonesia is a vast and varied country, and travel can be very slow. I wish it was possible to get (or extend) a tourist visa for three months, as many of its neighbors offer.
If I like an area, I want to stay there for more than a couple of nights so I can explore the area and make friends. I’ve wanted to go on treks that can take several days, but couldn’t squeeze them in with the time restrictions on the visa. It’s a very long and expensive journey just to get there from the US.
I’ve met many tourists who share my feelings. We’re not all there for just a quick holiday at some expensive resort in Bali.
My last trip there was almost three years ago, and I saw a couple of areas where eco-tourism was just starting. That’s a trend that I hope catches on for a lot more of Indonesia. It’s such a fascinating, unique country.
Sarah
The United States
I fully concur with the comments related to only having 30 days to spend in Indonesia. I have traveled to Indonesia four times since 2000.
The first two times I stayed up to the maximum limit of 60 days, and the second two times for the shortened 30-day limit. I absolutely love Indonesia, but tickets to get there are expensive.
I can only travel to Indonesia once every couple of years because of this, but when I do I spend as much time as I can there.
So, thinking financially, the smart thing would be to increase the time limit. I spend US$1,200 on a plane ticket and $1,000 per month there.
If the limit was increased 60 days that’s double the amount of money one tourist would bring in. Ninety days and it’s triple.
Chad
The United States
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