Time and distance were not enough keep 67-year-old Effendi from watching live television coverage as one of his former students at public elementary school SD Negeri 01 Menteng in Central Jakarta, Barack Obama, was reelected as president of the United States.

“I felt helpless when Barry was behind his contender 49 to 51, but I kept watching until the count showed 275:203 in his favor. That’s amazing,” Effendi told reporters while Obama made his victory speech on TV.

He taught “Barry” in third grade in 1968, the last time he laid eyes on him. “Now that he is reelected, he has more time to restore the world’s economy and political crises,” he said.

Effendi said he always prayed for Obama although he had missed the chance to meet him twice. He said he was asked by an US diplomat whether he could attend Obama’s first presidential inauguration in 2009, but then the invitation was canceled. Effendi had also tried to see Obama during the latter’s visit to Jakarta in November 2010, but blocked by tight security.

Perhaps nowhere was the joy more simply expressed than at Jakarta’s Menteng 01 Elementary School, where a statue of the young Obama stands outside the school in tribute to its most famous alumnus.

Jubilant students happily marched with a poster of the US president from one classroom to another after hearing that he had won a second term: “Obama wins [...] Obama wins again,” they shouted. “I want to be like him, the president,” said student Alexander Ananta as quoted by the Associated Press.

Obama’s reelection brought new hope for Bali’s tourist industry with the expectation that more Americans will spend their vacations on the island.

Bagus Sudibya, a prominent figure in the industry, hoped that Obama’s victory would increase political, business, social, cultural and tourism relations between Indonesia and America.

“The majority of people in the industry are very optimistic and hopeful with Obama winning the election,” Sudibya said.

The US has always been a major tourism market for Bali, in addition to Australia, Asia and Europe.

“Tourists from America and European countries are considered ‘quality tourists’ who spend long vacations in Bali. They are also repeaters and faithful guests,” Sudibya explained.

Obama’s victory could have a significant impact on tourism. His visit to Bali last year provided a positive image of Bali as a place secure enough to be visited by a US president.

President Obama is also expected to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) in Bali in November 2013.

“The APEC event will give Bali vast international media coverage. For certain, Obama will be attending this important event along with world leaders from the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.

Perry Markus, secretary of the Bali chapter of the Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI), warmly welcomed Obama’s victory, hoping that his administration would not prevent its citizens from visiting Indonesia, Bali in particular.

The US issued travel advisories recommending its citizens avoid visiting Bali soon after the Bali bombings in October 2002 and October 2005.

“Obama’s visit has been very effective promotion for Bali in the international tourism scene,” Perry said.

According to the Bali Tourism Office, 67,660 American tourists visited Bali between January and September 2012.

In 2011, 90,154 American tourists visited the island.

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