T

he Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry and the National Police on Monday launched the new security management system standard for accommodation facilities, which will be applied to all hotels nationwide, in an effort to attract more foreign tourists.

Tjokorda Arta Ardana Sukawati, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI), hailed the standard, called SMP, as a breakthrough for a tourism industry challenged with security disturbances, including violence, bombings and natural disasters.

'We are fully aware that security and convenience are integral parts of the industry. Therefore, PHRI and the National Police have agreed to create SMP and to conduct audits at hotels,' he said, adding that the association was aware of the importance of an integrated security system.

With this standard, it is expected that there will not be any sweeping or raids conducted that violate
procedures.

The National Police's head of Security Maintenance, Comr. Gen. Oegroseno, said that hotel security measures were not merely about the presence of security officers and equipment, but also included good communication between the police and hotel management.

Security threats for the tourist industry could range from minor incidents, like theft from hotel rooms, to major disturbances, like acts of terror and bombings.

'Therefore, this SMP standard includes all aspects of security, including human resources. And we don't want guests to be inconvenienced after the audit at hotels,' he said.

The standard will also be a guide for the authorities doing their jobs in the field, such as conducting a raid targeting a drug suspect in a hotel.

'There is no need to break into the room and disturb other guests. We can make the arrest silently and without violence,' he said.

The ministry's secretary-general, Ukus Kuswara, agreed that enhancing security standards was a crucial step toward success in the tourism sector.

Indonesia, he mentioned, ranked 72nd among the world's destinations in terms of security standards, with a grade of 4.7.

Among other ASEAN countries, Indonesia is second best after Singapore, which ranks 13 at the global level.

'If we can guarantee security, there will be more people from around the world making Indonesia their holiday destination. Out of 970 million travelers worldwide in 2010, we could only attract 7 million, or 0.75 percent. There's still huge potential.'

Related to the issue, the ministry has promoted programs called Sadar Wisata and Sapta Pesona, which include security. It has also issued a ministerial regulation on security management systems for hotels, in cooperation with the police. The launch of SMP is an implementation of the regulation.

A pilot project for SMP has taken place in two hotels in Bali and two in Jakarta: St Regis Bali Resort, Sheraton Kuta Bali, The Dharmawangsa and Oakwood Premier Cozmo Hotel.

'We will conduct the audit in all hotels, starting with star-rated hotels, to raise the awareness of all stakeholders,' Kuswara said.

He added that in the audit, the ministry, the police and the association would coordinate with the relevant institutions at the local level.

In Indonesia, there are 15,892 hotels, 435 of which are four-star and five-star hotels.