Indonesian tourism industry battered by images of violence

Tourism is a vital part of Indonesia's economy but recent problems have taken their toll on the industry

Indonesia has been plagued by image problems in recent times -- from last year's economic crisis and related unrest to this year's militia rampage in East Timor and riots in Jakarta.
Those problems have taken their toll on the archipelago's tourism industry -- the nation's sixth leading earner of hard currency.

The first six months of 1999 saw some improvement over a 1998 season slowed by riots on the streets of the capital. But the wave of violence that swept East Timor late this summer may sink the industry again.

Tourism pumped $6 billion into Indonesia's troubled economy in 1996, the latest figure available. But when tourists stay away, frightened by the pictures they see on their television screens, the money stays away, too.

CNN's Tom Mintier reports on Indonesian government efforts to improve image to help tourism Indonesian tourism officials are determined to get the word out that while there are some problems, they are not affecting all of the country.

"You have to tell the world this is just an accident and it happens everywhere in the world," said Tourism Minister Marzuki Usman. "We are doing our best to solve the problem."
Jakarta hosted an annual trade show this week touting Indonesia's place as a tourist destination. Tour operators and travel writers got red carpet treatment from officials who want to counter the daily television news.

Of Indonesia's 17,000 islands, Bali's tourism has been least affected by the turmoil, perhaps because most do not perceive the island paradise as part of Indonesia.
"We still have good occupancies at the hotels in Bali," Usman said.

Usman hopes the public relations effort will keep tourists coming to see the Hindu temples of Prambanan and the Dieng Plateau, the towering mountains of Irian Jaya, the famed Komodo dragons (giant monitor lizards) of Komodo Island and the rest of what Indonesia has to offer. (Sumber : CNN Asia Now, 26 September 1999)

Investment Board Offers New Incentives To Foreign Investors

In an effort to lure foreign investors back to Indonesia, Minister Marzuki Usman has announced that permanent residency will soon be granted to foreign investors who invest a minimum US$1 million in Indonesia.

Minister Usman holds two portfolios in the present National Cabinet, serving simultaneously as the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture and as Minister in charge of the Foreign Investment Co-ordinating Board (BKPM).

Details on the actual implementation of the program among the various government departments have yet to be finalised and are expected to be announced shortly. (Sumber : Bali Discovery, 2 Juni 1999).

Jika Tak Manfaatkan Pariwisata :Orang Madura Jadi Kuli di Negeri Sendiri

Menteri Pariwisata Seni dan Budaya, Marzuki Usman, mengingatkan masyarakat Madura akan menjadi kuli di negeri sendiri (dan orang luar yang menikmati keuntungannya) jika kita terlambat menangani potensi wisata yang kita miliki. "Wisata Pulau Madura ini bisa dijual ke dunia internasional asal pengelolaannya bagus, dengan penyajian selera dunia," katanya saat pengukuhan Masyarakat Peduli Pesona Pariwisata Madura, di Pendapa Kabupaten Bangkalan, Kamis (18/2).

Selera wisatawan dunia yang lagi ngetren sekarang, kata Marzuki Usman, adalah nuansa yang asli dan kelokalan. Mereka sudah bosan dengan suasana glamour dan yang polesan-polesan.

"Desa-desa di Madura punya keunikan masing-masing yang masih asli yang bisa diangkat. Ini akan mengangkat perekonomian kerakyatan kita," ujarnya. "Cuma WC di Desa berupa jumbleng itu perlu diubah dengan WC duduk yang biasa bagi wisman. Namun kita sudah biasa dengan jongkok, Menterinya pun kalau ke WC masih tetap jongkok, padahal itu untuk duduk," katanya disambut tawa yang hadir.

Kalau potensi ini terlambat digarap, kata Marzuki, tidak mustahil dalam waktu 10 tahun ke depan Desa-Desa yang mempunyai ciri khas lokal dan asli akan dikelola orang luar negeri. "Seperti yang disampaikan Pak Noer, di Madura ada pasir putih kiloan meter," tambahnya. "Jika dibiarkan, orang asing yang menggarapnya. Orang Madura bisa jadi cuma kuli menggotong barang-barang yang diperlukan di tempat wisata itu," ingatnya. (kas). (Sumber : Surabaya Post, 19 Februari 1999).