Found this great travelogue on the internet, hope you'll find it interesting too.

Terry

Usually we go to the main tourist destinations however this year we decide to be a little more adventurous and travel to Java as well as Bali. Of course everybody we told said you will come home in a body bag or the least be missing a kidney. Well we did make it home safe and sound and Java turned out to be just as friendly as Bali and in two instances we found them to be honest. One time I gave a 10,000 note instead of a one thousand, which he told me and returned it. The other time was when my wife left her watch at the pool in the hotel and it was returned also.

We flew to Jakarta from Perth Western Australia on the 30th March 2002 (sanhen note: i know its 2002, but i read and most things still valid), a 3 and a half hour flight. From research on the Internet, Indotel were the cheapest place to book hotels in Indonesia. We found their booth easily at the airport and booked the Aston Atrium hotel for 286,000 rupiah a night including breakfast.

We walked out the airport and got a passing bluebird taxi, which cost 41,000 rupiah (plus toll charges) to the hotel. It is best to arrive there with some small notes for the taxi and the toll charges. The Aston Atrium was a four star hotel and was excellent value for money. The rooms were really good with a really lavish bathroom a tempat tidar besar (double bed) and a brilliant smorgasbord breakfast.

Right next door to the hotel was the Atrium shopping centre, which the wife thought, was really good. Seven stories of shops, which have everything to make a shopaholic happy. There was not one other tourist there.
Everybody says avoid Jakarta at all costs as it is a hellhole. I didn’t find it to be a hellhole more so another big Asian city with lots of pollution on the streets. Places where there was real poverty and some really modern buildings and some interesting things to see. I would also say that Jakarta has some great shopping. (sanhen note: SOME?????? Jakarta is r00x!)

Sights in Jakarta

Monas - 5,000 rupiah entry fee plus 100 rupiah insurance. This is the National monument. You catch an elevator to the top for a fantastic view of the city, which stretches in all directions. The day we were there was a Sunday and there were heaps of locals therefore it was a long queue to get to the top. In the wide-open spaces around Monas there were sidewalk markets with fixed and really cheap prices. E.g. Bali T-shirts 10,000 rupiah. Good belts 10,000 rupiah. In fact everything was about half the price or less than in Bali but with no haggling.

Sunda Kelapa the Old Port

This was like a step back in time with old sailing vessels being unloaded by hand. They take two weeks to unload. Well worth a visit here but beware of the guides who attach themselves to you and then want US$20 for a tour about an hour or so. This guide was the greediest I have met all others were very good. You can go on the boats and also go for a row on the harbour. Next to the port is the fish market that was another interesting experience as it was real Third World.

Taman mini. This park has 27 full-scale buildings, which represent all the provinces of Indonesia. You can spend a whole day here.

Taman Impian Jaya Ancol This Recreation Park has an Aquarium and the Gelanggang renang swimming pool complex, and shows with Dolphins, seals, monkeys, birds and otters; again you can easily spend a day here.
Bogor

We caught the train at the Gambir train station and went to Bogor to visit the Botanical Gardens. The train was executive class and cost 8,000 rupiah each. The journey took 50 minutes and passed through some very poor areas of Jakarta. I would say that there would be people here battling to earn in a couple of months some of the running shoes seen in some of the stores in Jakarta.

At Bogor station we bartered for a ride to the Botanical Gardens, which was a real experience as he had to get four of his friends to push start the car and then with an almighty bang off we went.

We spent about four hours wandering around the Kebun Raya Botanical Gardens, which were very good. There were palms, bamboos, many different types of trees and an orchid house. If you like gardening or nature then you would appreciate these gardens. The president's palace backs onto the palace and has deer in the grounds which you can get quite close to. There didn't seem to be much activity while we where there. I think she was in Korea at the time. (sanhen note: Indonesia have many presidential palace. The official president residence is the Merdeka Palace at Jakarta. The rest of the palace usually being use for meetings only).

We had lunch at a shopping centre opposite the park, which was so cheap it was amazing. It cost less than US$2.00 for two meals and drinks.

After lunch we caught a number 6 microlet to the Bus Terminal to get on a bus to Bandung. The buses in Indonesia do not run to schedule but leave as soon as they are full. We didn’t have to wait long as we filled the last two seats on the bus (cost 16,000 rupiah) The bus on weekdays passes through the Puncak pass and I thought this scenery was everything I had heard. It was very beautiful well worth the trip to see the scenery. Also on the buses in Indonesia people hop on the buses to sing songs etc to get money off of the tourists. I gave a man here 5,000 rupiah and then found out the locals were giving 50 to a hundred rupiah. Hence why they love tourists there.


Bandung

In Bandung I picked up the phone and rang some hotels for prices. Picked the Panghegar, which cost 300,000 a night. This hotel turned out to be a real find as it had a revolving restaurant on top. We had an excellent meal here with a great view of the city at night.

In Bandung we visited the Tangkuban Prahu volcano. You drive right to the top of this volcano for an impressive view. Near to this volcano were the Ciater Hot Springs, which were very pretty with some good places to swim in the warm water.

Jeans Street, which is mentioned as a must in the guidebooks, did not impress me just a few shops with large plaster figures of Rambo, Batman etc. I did buy a pair of jeans here though as the prices were quite good. Bandung has lots of colonial buildings that are worth a look and lastly the Dago tea house and the walk along the river there is not to be missed.

The bank Niaga in Bandung changed Australian dollar traveller’s cheques with a good rate. We never found anywhere in Jakarta to change Australia dollar travellers cheques. One scary moment there with an ATM. Put the card in and the machine said transaction ok then nothing spat the card out no receipt no nothing. Went into the bank where I was told the machine had run out of money. Have since checked transaction and nothing shows on statement. From Bandung we decided to hire a car to take us to Pangandaran this cost us 400,000 which was a bit expensive but the tourist bus was full. (A lesson here. Book the day before). The trip took from 09:20 until 14:30

Pangandaran

They say Pangandaran is a hidden jewel in regards to western tourists and I agree with this. We had planned on staying here 3 days but stayed four and even then we didn’t really want to leave. Pangandaran is on a peninsular near Cilacap and the whole town consists of tourist related activities. We found the people here to be very friendly in fact we were invited to a Sundanese (The local people) wedding. Apparently they are more than happy for tourists to come to these events. There are a heap of cheap hotels here. We stayed at the Nyiur Indah II which cost us 206,500 a night with breakfast. The only problem with this hotel was that it did not have any rooms with tempat tidur besar (In Indonesian big bed or double beds). Here I found the most useful Indonesian phase. Saya mau kamar dengan tempat tidur besar. (I want a room with a big bed).

There is plenty to see and do around Pangandaran or even just walking along the beach at sunset watching the flying dogs (what they call bats) go by is nice. I walked along the whole beach and wasn’t approached by one hawker, which was a very pleasurable change to Kuta beach. There are plenty of Becak drivers here and we did use a couple of them but found it great to hire a motorbike and travel around town on that. The cost was 25,000 per day.
The people in Jimbaran bay could learn something from their equivalent in Pangandaran. We had a really excellent meal of Lobster, Tiger prawns and fish plus drinks and the bill was 134,000 rupiah.

Another really good meal was had at the Scandinavian restaurant and guesthouse. 106,000 rupiah for a great meal and 35,000 of that was for an imported Portuguese Port and another 30,000 for other drinks.

The tours around Pangandaran are really cheap e.g. 60,000 for two people to go on a jungle tour. The tour was about a four-hour walk through the jungle and we saw deer, two different kinds of monkeys, a porcupine, squirrels, bats and something that looked like possums. At the entrance of the park you feed the monkeys peanuts and if you give them a peanut with your right hand they always take it with their right hand and visa versa. Definitely do not go into the park without a guide, it would not be too hard to get lost.

Pangandaran’s no 1 tour is to the green canyon and once you have been there you can understand why as it is very beautiful. To make the trip a full day we visited a krupup factory and a wayang golek factory where we bought Rama and Shinta dolls, which are very beautiful and very well made. Also went to Batu keras another really nice beach nearby.

Pangandaran has a nice feel to it and is very cheap for hotels, tours and meals. As for bartering t-shirts etc their starting price is what you have to haggle down to in Bali, consequently I didn’t bother.

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta was the best of the cities we visited in Java and had a
reasonable feel to it as far as cities go and is well worth a trip from Bali it costs around 429,000 one way or 860,000 return by Garuda. There is much to see there including the famous Borobudur and hotels and meals etc are very cheap.

Hotels

The hotel we stayed at there was called the Harmony Inn, which consisted of only 16 rooms. This hotel cost us 90,000 rupiah a night with breakfast. All hotels in Java include breakfast and they give you two bottles of water a day for brushing teeth in etc. I thought this hotel was quite a bargain as in Bali it would have cost 300,000 rupiah a night and without breakfast. Yogyakarta has heaps of hotels with very cheap rates, seemed to be cheaper here than any where.

Transport

The main complaint about Yogyakarta that I have heard is about the Becak drivers, which are the main form of transport there. There are very few taxis. This is that they keep on insisting on taking you to Batik places. I shut one up quiet easily on the way to the night market. I told him Batik tidak uang Pasar malam uang (Batik no money night market money) Never heard another word about batik.

Mostly in Yogyakarta we hired a motorbike which cost 25,000 rupiah a day. Most people think this is crazy but we have found that this is the best form of getting around Java and Bali. Unlike Bali never saw any police in Either Pangandaran or Yogyakarta trying to get tourists without licences.

Sights in Jogja

The water palace, we were not impressed with this place it consisted of two pools of stagnant green water and if you do go there don’t go in the middle of the day as it gets quite hot here.

Borobudur has been called one of the Seven Wonders of the World and it
certainly is impressive. Words and pictures do not it Justice. You have to be there. It costs US$7.00 entrance fee and you can hire a guide there for 30,000 rupiah. I really suggest you hire the guide as they tell you the story of the place and about the Buddhist Religion. Which is amazing in itself considering the guides are Muslim. (sanhen note: welcome to Indonesia. A country with millions of ppl that tolerate each other religion, and thousand that is not. Dont 100% believe the news plz).

Prambanan does not get the same publicity as Borobudur but I thought it was equally impressive again entry costs US$7.00 and 30,000 for a guide. Again you get a Muslim guide telling you the Intricacies of the Hindu religion.

Parangritis Beach is a wild and windswept beach 30km south of Yogyakarta. You can’t swim here as it is too dangerous but is worth a visit. Ramayana Ballet An interesting performance about the story of Rama and Shinta. This story seems to be important through Java and even though it is a Hindu story I never heard it in Bali. The ramayana ballet performance in town lasts for one and a half-hours and costs 90,000 or for 150,000 there is a package including dinner. They pick you up and deliver you back to your hotel for this price.
Kasongan was a village near Yogyakarta where they made ceramics. There were some excellent ceramics here for incredibly cheap prices. I wish I could have brought some back. The importers must make an incredible margin from these as there ceramic figures here for AUD$5 that would sell for AUD$200. There are many other things to see in Jogja, one being the Dieng plateau unfortunateley we run out of time to visit this but next year for sure.

Shopping

Jalan Malioboro is the main shopping centre of Yogyakarta where you can buy cheap souvenirs, batik, leather goods, woodcarvings etc. again the prices where much cheaper than Bali eg. bought some flowers there for 1,500 rupiah same in Bali where 4,500. Good t-shirts cost 12,500 rupiah.

Money changing - the best place in Yogyakarta was PT Baruman Abadi the
moneychanger at the Hotel Natour Garuda. Very good rates and he changes AUD$ travellers cheques.

Via Via café This is a must visit café as they have lots of cheap and good tours. We did a cooking course here, which was run by the cook of the café who was a lovely Balinese woman. We learnt to cook Lumping, satay chicken and nasi goreng . This course was a absolute bargain 35,000 rupiah and you got to eat the meal at the end of it.

To operate a motor vehicle in Indonesia, you must understand the transportation gestalt in an entirely different way. Definitions that you thought were above redefinition will immediately be redefined. Please pay attention.

The Road:

Includes not only the paved portion of the highway, but also what others might call the verge, the curb, the sidewalk, the front yard and the roadside restaurant. The paved portion of the roadway is generally one lane wide. Not one lane in each direction, but one lane.

Respect:

All animals are granted the greatest respect in Indonesia. It is presumed that, being highly evolved creatures, chickens and dogs and the like know how to sidestep a Mitsubishi going 78 mph on a fog shrouded road during a national religious holiday.

This same position of honor is granted to small children, men with 30 pounds of hay on their heads, unattended oxcarts and elderly women in mystic trances. Slowing or swerving to avoid these beings would cause them dishonor.

Lanes:

These colorful white and yellow markings wish a hearty Selamat Datang (welcome) to every traveler. They have no other function.

Passing:

The national sport of Indonesia. Observant motorists may encounter the vertical triple (passing three vehicles in one acceleratory movement), the horizontal triple (passing a vehicle that itself is in the process of passing a vehicle), or even the rare double-double (passing a vehicle at precisely the same time that another vehicle, coming in the other direction is also engaged in the act of passing).

Tailgating:

What to do when not passing.

Being Passed:

An insult not to be endured. The greater the differential between your vehicle (say, a Boeing 747), the great the potential loss of prestige. The owner of the less powerful vehicle must always do everything in his/her power to thwart the attempt to overtake.

Seat Belts:

Absolutely unnecessary. Not only are they not worn, they are not even provided. Passengers are fully protected by the horn.

Lights:

Rapidly blinking the headlights can mean many things, including "OK to pass now," "dangerous to pass now," "get out the way," or "may you find the thread of gold in the linen of existence. "It takes years, sometimes entire lifetimes, to learn this subtle and intriguing intuitive nonverbal communication skill. Generally, however, you have about three seconds.

The Horn:

When sounded loudly and frequently, the horn sets up an invisible energy barrier protecting the vehicle and its inhabitants from all harm. The faster the vehicle is going, the better the horn works. This is the central concept of Indonesian motoring.

Accidents:

Rare. Usually the result of a malfunctioning horn.

Adapted from: In expat website / An article by Jon Carroll, San Francisco Chronicle, November 4, 1988 (and nothing has changed since then :)

Today I tried my skill at driving in a right-sided steering car. My husband has had his Indonesian license for a couple of months now. He's been driving on Sundays since it is a bit quieter on Jakarta's roads and he's been doing fairly well.

We thought that the other drivers would agree that it would be best for me to learn the different steering wheel orientation off the main roads, so we went to the 'practice driving area'.

Our well-engrained American driving habits showed up during a funny incident on the way to the practice driving area. We came to an intersection and my husband made a right turn into the inside lane. Passing a truck in the intersection on the right side, I said, "I guess we're driving the Indonesian way." My husband said, "I don't know why that truck was going the wrong way."

I said, "Is this a one-way street?" to which he responded, "No". As a car was coming toward us I said, "Aren't we supposed to be on the other side of the street?" He says "Oh yeah!" and quickly maneuvered into the left lane. "What am I doing?" he said with a big sigh. It's obviously harder to undo habits than we thought,
especially when it comes to driving on the other side of the street.

The practice driving area is actually a huge parking lot in Senayan where Rp 5,000 allows access to practice lanes. Practice seems like a sort of a farce, since after a moment's observation of traffic on major streets in Jakarta you'd think the drivers had never taken the time to practice!

Jakarta drivers are famous for their ability to drive in a zigzagged manner down the street, joyously swerving around all other traffic, ignoring all the lines marking lanes on the street. Considering how bad the 'experienced' drivers are in Jakarta, the Senayan parking lot was truly a danger zone! We were expecting it to be empty on Sunday, unfortunately we were wrong.

The Senayan parking lot is full of rubber tires lined up to make the lanes. The lanes are placed in two oval loops, one encircling the other. One or two of the tires are usually out of place, and they all look like they taken a lot of direct hits as they're quite beaten up.

Other areas are designated to practice parallel parking and backing into parking spaces. Most of the cars are old and cheap or beat up. We realized later that wise people would not take their BMW to practice driving here! At any time there are about 40 cars driving around, some with big "student driver" signs on top of the car, though the literal translation is "learning".

Most of these cars are manual (stick shift), and you can see a lot of student drivers starting and stopping and trying to start again. There's a lot of slow weaving as these student drivers practice not going in a straight line, or should I say, practice trying to go in a straight line.

Being an experienced driver I didn't have trouble with the clutch, only with the fact that everything else in the car was backwards. I kept reaching for the stick shift with my right hand and would bang it into the door. It's amazing how driving becomes so automatic and when you have to change your habits and adjust to the new location of things it messes you up.

But soon I was more worried about the other students. We drove bravely into the rubber tire-marked lanes and soon got caught behind a traffic jam that was building up. This seemed strange since one would think there wouldn't be any traffic lights or intersections in the practice lanes. In the distance, to my surprise, I saw a couple of policemen directing traffic out of the lanes. As we got closer we realized two cars had just been involved in an accident.

We then decided, after little thought, that we'd learned enough and it was time to leave.

By Lisa Kumaradjaja / Indo expat website

Organised Chaos!

In my travel guide, the streets of Indonesia are described as 'ORGANISED CHAOS' and I must say that I quite agree with this expression. Every visit to the centre of Surabaya is an adventure.

First, we have to go with the 'becak' (public transport bicycle) to the exit of the area where we live. Around the corner, a becak is waiting for customers most of the time, so far no panic. Then the danger starts! We have to cross the very, very wide street and playing Russian roulette is a game without risk compared to this action.

All the traffic is mixed up, there are cars, motors, buses, trucks, mopeds and on the side of the road are bicycles and men with food trolleys. The game on the road is to 'honk and speed up' and everybody joins in. My thought during crossing was, "When the driver sees me, he will slow down" but that shows, I still have a lot to learn. With three lives less and a pale face, we reach the other side of the road where we have to wait for a while for our 'bemo' (small bus packed with people) to the centre of the city.

Every minute, a little bus passes with a man shouting the route of his bus to his potential clients. The potential clients are all the people on the street, and I can tell you that there are an awful lot of them. Our destination is TP (Shopping centre Tunjungan Plaza) passing Darmo and when we hear a man shouting "T.P., Darmo, T.P., T.P., Darmo, Darmo, T.P., T.P., T.P., Darmo, Darmo, T.P.", I tell Ari, my small Indonesian bodyguard, that this is probably our bus.

The bus is still half empty and everybody can still breathe normally. I do manage to almost sit on a little box of food from the lady next to me, "Sorry madam". Halfway along the route, the bemo is packed, but there is still half a centimetre of free space, so another passenger enters. The trick to sitting down in this very small space is smile at the people
around you while moving your bottom from left to right until you get completely stuck.

We are not very lucky today, because even though the bus is still driving, I am sure that it has not had any check-up for ages. When we stop for the 268th time, the motor stops. Some men push the bemo and the driver manages to start the engine. As long as he accelerates in first gear up to 80 kilometres per hour, everything is all right.

The thing is, every time we stop, the motor stops. We stop every three minutes so need I continue my story? Everybody stays calm and keeps smiling. After 15 minutes, the engine stops again in the middle of the road and dangerously avoiding the rest of the traffic, we manage to reach the side of the road.

Some useful tools are collected; it looks like an axe and a screwdriver. With a lighter in his left-hand, the driver makes an attempt to repair the car with his right hand. As this will probably take a while, we are offered to get on another bemo with the same destination.

After five minutes, we arrive and all I want to do at this moment is celebrate that we have arrived safely. Knowing that we also have to return home is a thought for later ...!

Our thanks to Gaby Schilders for his contribution of this story.

Taken from expat website

HILLARIOUS :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious

Here are some Travel article about indonesia

I arrived at Sukarno Hatta airport just outside Jakarta at 10:30am on December 12, 1996. The first thing I had to get used to was the currency. I couldn't believe my luck when I exchanged some travellers cheques at the airport and was rewarded with almost a million rupees. I was sure it had to be a nice mistake, until I tried to buy a Big Mac meal next door. It set me back 8,000 rupees. Oh well.


By pretending I knew how to speak Indonesian, I managed to fight my way through the taxi drivers and find the place where I could catch a bus to Kalideres, the bus station for southbond buses from Jakarta. From there I had decided on going to Lebuan, which is on the west coast of Java. The ticket normally cost 1,500-2,000 rupees, so I generously offered 3,000 to the ticket man. He insisted on it costing 10,000 although it seemed like all the other passengers paid 1,000. After a long discussion/bargaining session, I started waving with a 5,000 note, which he took eagerly enough. I also managed to grab a 1,000 note in change without him seeing it. Few things demand more of a person than getting a fair price for a en "ekonomi bis" bus ride in Indonesia. Then again, there are fixed price air conditioned buses available as well, where you'll pay a lot more, but you can at least be sure that you don't pay ten times more than anyone else on the bus.

The bus ride itself was the first of many tiresome bus rides in Indonesia. As a foreigner, you're sure to get a lot of attention from the locals. They'll all come up to you and practice their English on you, whether you're pretending to be asleep or not. "What your name?" "Where you come from?" "Are you married?" "Why not?" "Have you many child?" And so on, until all the sentences they know in English have been spoken a few times. In the beginning I enjoyed it, and frantically looked in my dictionary to figure out appropriate answers to their questions. Eventually I figured out that the reason they asked was mainly that they wanted me to ask the same questions back, so that they could tell me all about themselves. When they had nothing more to tell, they went satisfied and smiling back to their seats.


http://www.pvv.ntnu.no/~bct/backpack/bilder/Javabuss.jpg

Another funny detail about the low budget buses in Indonesia is that they never close the doors. So more or less continuously throughout the journey someone selling fruit, nuts, icebags and whatever will jump in through the front door, walk through the bus yelling "habla habla habla" and try to sell their stuff, before they jump out of the back door. And when the bus reaches its destination the driver gets out his shovel and starts pushing the trash along the floor and in the end there's an incredible heap of garbage coming out in the back. Rather as if the bus was a body on its own.

When I came to Lebuan, I knew where I wanted to stay; Sunset View, a few kilometres outside the town. A rickshaw offered to take me there for 700 rupees. Normally I don't use rickshaws, but I thought that at 700 it couldn't be far away, so I accepted and got in. It started well, with him using the pedals to take us into a forest, downhill most of the way. But then! Suddenly he stopped and said "This here". It took me a while to figure out that this spot, in the middle of the forest, apparently was a sunset view of some kind. I protested wildly and took out a map showing him where I wanted to go. It turned out that to go to THAT Sunset View, I would have to pay him 5,000 rupees. I declined and started walking in the direction I thought was right. The rickshaw guy followed me for quite a while and eventually the fare was reduced to 1,000, and he said "taksi cost 25,000". By then I was so annoyed by this guy that I stopped the first taxi that passed by and just waved at him and smiled. The taxi cost me 500... Now, a year or so later I can't help feeling sorry for the guy with the rickshaw. He spent more than an hour on annoying me and all he got out of it was about 30 American cents, and he was in the middle of nowhere with no potential customers. But at the time being... I felt really good about not having been tricked into paying way too much for that rickshaw ride.

A superb room at Sunset View cost me 12.500 rupees (at the time about US$5, in May 1998 less than US$1). I asked the people running the place where I could find someone to take me out into the ocean to see the remains of Krakatau, which is a huge volcano that exploded in the biggest volcano explosion ever (well, it was huge, anyway). Although this is the only attraction in the area, they seemed to never have heard about it. So I asked for the tourist information, to which a woman looking a bit unsure pointed southwards and said "One hundred kilometers". I decided that chances were that either 1) her English was really, really bad or 2) her idea of the concept "kilometer" was a bit inaccurate, and started walking south. 15 minutes later I found a small hut with a sign saying "Tourist informati". They told me there was a cyclone going on in the area, so there just MIGHT be a boat trip to Krakatau in a couple of days, but the chances were small.

So, having spent a rather chaotic day trying to avoid being totally ripped off by Indonesians, I went to bed and slept very well while the storm raged outside.

The next morning I was, as usual, awoken by the people running the guest house, but this time because I had asked them to do it, so that I could be up in time for the boat to Krakatau. But the weather was bad. It should be better by 10, so I should just sit down and wait. But seven minutes later the wife of the man who were to take us to sea had turned sick, so he had to stay home. Yeah, right. That MIGHT have happened back in Europe, but not in Indonesia. Not ever. Anyway, there would not be a trip that day, so I just walked straight into the woods, until I happened upon a nice waterfall which saved my day. It was such a nice day for not going to Krakatau. The ocean looked really nasty when I went down to the beach a bit later. http://www.pvv.ntnu.no/~bct/backpack/bilder/kraake.gif

So I slept, still tired from the busy days in Singapore. And the next morning the weather was even worse. So I gave up. Having read a lot of nice things about Bandung, I got on the first available bus eastwards. I'm not sure if it actually went eastwards, but 4 buses and 14 hours later I gained consciousness in Bandung. I had paid about twice what Lonely Planet said the trip would cost altogether, so I may have taken some major detours, but the view from the bus had been very nice, so I didn't mind too much. Besides, by now I had developed a good technique for travelling by bus in Indonesia. First, it is necessary to not sit in any of the seats, but in the luggage rack in the back of the bus, behind the luggage. From there the panorama view backwards is splendid, and you won't even have to look at the traffic in front of the bus. Also, this is where whatever little air there is in the bus can be found.

On one ride in particular, this turned out to be a very smart move. In the middle of nowhere the bus were stopped by a group of soldiers. They claimed 30 seats, and the people who had to leave the bus didn't look too happy about it. I sat behind the luggage and tried to look as if I didn't understand anything at all, and it worked. The bus drove on with me surrounded by lots of soldiers. I discovered that Indonesian soldiers, unlike soldiers elsewhere, do not whistle after girls, they do not fart, bellow or tell rude jokes to each other. Actually, they do not make any sound whatsoever. Especially not when there is a major and a colonel amongst them. It was a quiet ride, and nobody bothered me at all. Heaven.

Although Krakatau exploded a hundred years ago, the Indonesians are doing everything they can to keep the production of ashes up. They all smoke. Actually, they use only one match each per day; to light the first sigarette of the day. From then on until they go to sleep, they light their cigarette with the previous cigarette. It's quite amazing to watch. I figure I most definitely would have barfed on the bus, if the Indonesians had not mixed some kind of clove or herbs into the tobacco, which makes the smell quite different from the European cigarettes. It actually smells kinda nice, and they claim it makes smoking healthy. *shrug*

When I finally arrived in Bandung, it turned out I hadn't afterall. The new bus station has been built quite a distance outside Bandung, so that you have to take another bus to get into the city. And I arrived so late that there were no buses. I managed to hitch a ride with errr... some suspicious-looking fellows, and soon I was in Bandung for real. Sademas Homestay at 10000 rupiahs per day became my new home.

My first activity in Bandung, after sleeping, was to find the ramfighting market. Which I did, because I had a very good description of how to get there. Unfortunately they had built a brand new baseball stadium there, so the goats where somewhere else. It's a nice park there, too. But I decided to head back for downtown Bandung. Something went wrong, I picked the wrong angkot and came to Lembang instead, a smaller city a bit higher than Bandung. There's not a lot to see, just a few stupas and temples. You can also see horse taxis there. Not because tourists think it is a nice thing to try, but because that's what people use to get around up there. Having seen that, I decided to walk back to Bandung, just to make sure I didn't make another bus-mistake. This, of course, triggered the most incredible rainstorm, it almost looked like drifting snow. So I escaped into a small restaurant and had iced tea, corn and fried chicken. It was almost like being back in Tennessee. Especially since the restaurant was a Kentucky Fried Chicken one.

Later on, I decided to follow the sound of really loud rock music, and suddenly found myself in "Jeans Street", a most incredible street in Bandung more or less dedicated to factory outlets selling all kinds of trendy clothing of all Western brands, original as well as fake. When I checked out the price tags, I soon found the explanation for how the young people in this area of Indonesia can dress as smart as they do. I bought myself a pair of 501's as well as a denim shirt, and that set me back less than US$25. The most interesting parts of the street aren't the low prices, though, but the amazing, huge figures of Superman, Batman, King Kong, Rambo and others, who stand upon the roofs of the shops, next to giant loudspeakers, all trying to attract as many customers as possible.

In addition to clothing, you can also pick up pirated software in this area, but to me it seemed that the software was much more oriented towards a Chinese audience here than it was in Malaysia/Thailand, and the software was not as new and cheap either. The McDonalds in "Jeans Street" is the only one I've ever seen with outdoor karaoke and a "restaurant house band". You'll also find Wendy's, KFC, Texas Fried Chicken, Chicago Fried Chicken, California Fried Chicken, Jakarta Fried Chicken, A&W and a lot of others American inspired businesses here, which I found a bit strange, since I couldn't spot any foreigners in the street whatsoever, besides myself.

I may have been there just out-of-tourist-season, because I was the only one who wanted to go on a tour to the nearby volcanos, so the trip was cancelled. *Sigh* So I quickly decided to continue to Pangandaran.So I slept, still tired from the busy days in Singapore. And the next morning the weather was even worse. So I gave up. Having read a lot of nice things about Bandung, I got on the first available bus eastwards. I'm not sure if it actually went eastwards, but 4 buses and 14 hours later I gained consciousness in Bandung. I had paid about twice what Lonely Planet said the trip would cost altogether, so I may have taken some major detours, but the view from the bus had been very nice, so I didn't mind too much. Besides, by now I had developed a good technique for travelling by bus in Indonesia. First, it is necessary to not sit in any of the seats, but in the luggage rack in the back of the bus, behind the luggage. From there the panorama view backwards is splendid, and you won't even have to look at the traffic in front of the bus. Also, this is where whatever little air there is in the bus can be found.

errr..
the article is being repeated and cut half way?

sorry for the repeated ,i've edited already and it's still to be continued

Pesona Pasar Petaksembilan Glodok


CITY tour atau keliling kota oud Batavia, kota tua Jakarta, pada hari Sabtu tepat rasanya setelah sepanjang minggu kerja di kantor. Apalagi mengingat Sabtu adalah hari libur kantor, ada waktu luang yang bisa disisihkan untuk melihat sisi lain dari Kota Jakarta.

OBYEKNYA memang bukan obyek wisata tempat hiburan macam Taman Mini Indonesia Indah atau Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, melainkan pasar basah tradisional yang masih bertahan di tengah kota metropolitan Jakarta. Sekadar menyebut nama, ada Pasar Boplo dengan gado-gadonya yang terkenal sejak tahun 1950-an dan Pasar Petaksembilan yang dikenal sebagai Pasar Gloria Glodok.

"Kita akan mendapat berbagai keperluan sehari-hari, mulai dari udang, ikan, daging, sayung-mayur, buah-buahan berbagai jenis yang tidak dapat dijumpai di pasar-pasar tradisional (lainnya). Misalnya, umbi teratai yang didatangkan secara khusus dari Medan. Dibikin tumis… wah, enaak sekali dimakan," jelas Bondan Winarno, pemandu tur ke pasar basah kawasan Glodok tersebut.

Bondan, terkenal dengan tur "Jalan Sutra-nya", bekerja sama dengan Klub Kuliner Femina, Sabtu (31/7), mengadakan tur sehari "Jalan-jalan ke Oud Batavia" dengan obyek utamanya Pasar Petaksembilan dan menelusuri jalan-jalan tikus di sekitar daerah pecinan Kota. Tur dimulai dengan naik bus transjakarta di Halte Dukuh Atas dan turun di Halte Lindeteves, tepat di Jalan Kemurnian I.

Sehari kemudian, dalam acara Fun Walk Radio Sonora, Menteri Pariwisata I Gede Ardika mengungkapkan, selain tur gastronomi tersebut, sejumlah hotel berbintang akan membina para pedagang makanan kaki lima. "Nanti mereka akan mendapat label dari hotel (untuk gerobaknya) bahwa makanan mereka higienis sehingga turis asing dan juga domestik tidak ragu untuk menyantap makanannya," kata Ardika.

Selain itu, menurut Bondan, tiga konsorsium, salah satunya dari perhotelan, akan memugar salah satu jalanan kawasan Kota untuk dijadikan jalanan bebas lalu lintas, di mana para pedagang makanan kaki lima akan menggelar dagangannya. "Suatu upaya untuk menghidupkan kembali oud Batavia," ujar Bondan.
BEGITU menyeberang jalan di mulut Jalan Kemurnian I, 60 peserta tur disambut oleh aroma sedap asap dari ayam panggang yang sedang dibakar di tepi mulut jalan ini. Beberapa di antara peserta sudah tak tahan lagi untuk membeli ayam panggang sedap itu. Selain perumahan petak, di sepanjang jalan kecil ini terdapat warung-warung makanan yang juga mengundang selera makan.

"Tahan Bu, kalau tidak nanti keluar dari pasar bisa-bisa ibu-ibu bakal nenteng belanjaan banyak (dan berat)," Bondan memperingatkan karena masih banyak yang akan dilihat sebelum rombongan tur istirahat makan siang di Kafe Museum Fatahilah. Di kafe ini diadakan demo memasak Dop Erwten Soep "Konings Plein" atau sup kacang polong, sup favorit orang Belanda tempo doeloe hingga kini. Juga dibuat nasi oelam "Mester" dari Jatinegara yang terkenal di zamannya dan pisang goreng kedjoe "de Harmonie" alias pisang goreng keju (daerah) Harmoni.

Yang menarik dari pasar Petaksembilan, kita harus pandai-pandai berebut napas di tengah jubelan pembeli dan pedagang. Jalan atau tepatnya lorong 1,5 meter di tengah lapak pedagang tidak saja digunakan bagi para pembeli, tetapi juga "jalan utama" bagi mereka yang lalu-lalang dengan motor, sepeda, gerobak, maupun para pedagang makanan pikulan. Inilah romantikanya belanja di pasar basah Glodok. Uniknya lagi, para pedagang umumnya keturunan etnis Tionghoa.

Pasar Petaksembilan ini berada tidak jauh dari ujung Jalan Kemurnian I, begitu kita belok kanan dari jalan ini. Sepanjang jalan (dulu dikenal sebagai Gang Petaksembilan dan sekarang Jalan Kemenangan I) yang sudah dipadati para pedagang ini, ada Toko Jaya Abadi yang menjual berbagai makanan kering, kalengan, dan awetan. Yang menarik dari salah satu toko di sini, ada yang menjual ikan halibut beku atau dikenal dengan sebutan ikan salju.

Menurut Bondan, salah satu favoritnya kala berbelanja di Pasar Gloria ini adalah telur asinnya. Kualitasnya bagus sekali dan selalu terjaga sehingga para pembeli tidak pernah dibuat kecewa. Tidak saja telur asin, mutu sayur-mayurnya juga lebih baik dan segar, termasuk ikan dan daging yang ditawarkan. Kodok pedaging maupun kodok hidup untuk dijadikan menu swiekee yang dijual di sini juga segar.

Dari pasar basah ini, Bondan membawa para peserta menelusuri Gang Kodok yang tembus ke Gang Kalimati. Disebut Gang Kodok karena di sinilah kodok-kodok hidup dipotong menjadi pedaging untuk swiekee. Suatu pemandangan tersendiri sepanjang gang sempit tersebut. Di sepanjang Gang Kalimati dijumpai banyak penjual makanan dan kue-kue. Pembelinya langsung bisa melihat bagaimana makanan yang dibelinya itu dibuat. Seperti suikiauw, siomay, bakcang, tape uli, serta berbagai kue kering.

Di warung-warung yang ada banyak makanan mengundang selera, seperti nasi campur, nasi hainan dan sekba, atau bektim. "Jangan lewatkan ’Bu Lili’ yang menjual berbagai jenis bubur dan kolak," Bondan memberi saran bagi mereka yang ingin mencicipi makanan di sini.

Di ujung Gang Kalimati yang tembus ke Jalan Pancoran, pada mulut gang banyak penjual pisang menjajakan dagangannya, seolah menyambut orang yang datang ke kawasan ramai Kompleks Pertokoan Gloria yang banyak sekali menjual kue kering, kue bulan, kue muaci, maupun permen atau gula-gula impor dari China. Di sini beberapa peserta tur tidak lupa membeli opak ketan khas Tangerang yang disebut Bondan. Penjual opak khas ini berada di samping Toko P&D (Provissien en Dranken) Jap Heng Lay, toko yang menjual bebek asin dan samcan asin yang diimpor dari Hongkong dan dijajakan di toko-toko lain menjelang Imlek.

"Saya sempat SMS Bondan untuk minta penjual opak menambah dagangannya karena sudah habis diborong ibu-ibu," kata Sitta Manurung, salah seorang chaperone tour dari Femina. Penjual opak tidak menyangka bahwa dagangannya begitu laku keras sehingga minta bantuan Bondan, untuk penjualnya segera mendatangkan opaknya saat para peserta tur istirahat di Kedai Kopi O "Hauw Cuan". Kedai ini terkenal kopi-o (kopi manis tanpa susu)-nya serta mi kangkung "Jangkung," soto mi dan bihun kari "Lam", dendeng babi "Wee Siang, swiekee Purwodadi, dan nasi ayam hainan singapura yang dipesan dari Taman Makan Mini Gloria yang berada di seberangnya.

Setelah makan siang nasi oelam "Mester" di Kafe Museum, peserta tur diajak melihat Museum Fatahilah dan Museum Seni Rupa/Keramik. Tur melihat sisi lain Kota Jakarta ini ditutup dengan mencicipi es krim Ragusa, kedai es krim peninggalan masa tahun 1950-an yang masih bertahan hingga sekarang di lokasi lama di Jalan Veteran yang menghadap Masjid Istiqlal.

Dudi Sudibyo Wartawan, Tinggal di Jakarta

http://img51.exs.cx/img51/9243/sundak.jpg

HIDDEN GEM: Sundak beach is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches on Java. Investors have started looking at the area for development, but have complained that an electricity supply has yet to reach the resort. Sundak beach, Gunung Kidul regency, lies about 70 kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta. JP/Tarko Sudiarno

No more Fiskal by 2005 (within ASEAN) and maybe for all countries!

http://cybertravel.cbn.net.id/detil.asp?kategori=News&newsno=1001

Indonesia diharapkan mematuhi kesepakatan yang telah ditetapkan dalam Asean Tourism Agreement (ATA) untuk menghapus fiskal bagi warga RI yang akan ke luar negeri paling lambat hingga akhir 2005.

Wakil Ketua Komite Tetap Pariwisata Kadin (Kamar Da-gang dan Industri Indonesia) Adnan Karamoy mengatakan dalam pasal dua ATA atau Perjanjian Pariwisata Asean, yang ditandatangani kepala pemerintah negara di Asean, tertulis paling lambat 2005 semua hambatan ke luar, termasuk yang berupa pajak, harus dihapus.

"Suka tidak suka, mau tidak mau, fiskal harus dihapus. Karena telah disepakati dalam ATA bahwa paling lambat 2005, semua hambatan ke luar harus dihapus," katanya kepada Bisnis di sini kemarin.

Dia mengatakan halangan yang diterapkan suatu negara, akan dinilai sebagai tindakan tidak sesuai dengan semangat liberalisasi dan AFTA.

Di samping itu, lanjutnya, pengenaan fiskal luar negeri juga bertentangan dengan kode etik pariwisata global yang a.l. menyatakan tidak boleh ada hambatan berupa pungutan atau pajak bagi warga yang mau keluar negeri.

"Sedangkan untuk pengenaan visa dari suatu negara pada warga dari negara asing, merupakan kedaulatan suatu negara," ujar Adnan.

Menurut dia, jika Indonesia tetap menerapkan fiskal luar negeri, ditakutkan akan ada pembalasan dari negara lain. "Misalnya, negara tetangga membalas perlakuan yang dinilai tidak fair ini dengan menerapkan pada warganya yang akan ke Indonesia untuk membayar pajak."

Sebab, lanjutnya, dengan mengenakan fiskal luar negeri berarti dinilai ada perlakuan tidak fair. "Seolah-olah Indonesia mau terima wisatawan [asing], tapi kita tak mau keluarkan orang Indonesia ke luar negeri," kata Adnan yang juga menjadi anggota Masyarakat Pariwisata Indonesia.

Menanggapi adanya kehawatiran neraca perjalanan menjadi defisit jika fiskal luar ngeri dicabut, dia mengatakan dengan pengenaan fiskal pun kenyataannya warga RI yang ke luar negeri terus bertambah.

Menurut dia, data BPS menyebutkan jumlah WNI yang ke luar ngeri (outbound) pada 2001 sebanyak 1.507.689 orang. "Jumlah itu berlipat ganda menjadi 3.231.535 orang pada 2002, dan bertambah lagi menjadi 3.491.186 orang pada 2003."

Sedangkan wisatawan asing yang datang ke Indonesia (inbound) jumlahnya terus berkurang, paparnya, yaitu pada 2001 sebanyak 5.153.620 orang, pada 2002 menjadi 5.033.400 orang, dan pada 2003 menjadi 4.467.021 orang. "Jadi surplusnya [antara outbound dan inbound] terus berkurang."

Untuk mengatasi hal itu, kata Adnan, pemerintah harus melihat sektor pariwisata sebagai alat perekonomian. "Terutama dalam masa transisi, yaitu dalam lima tahun ke depan ini. Di samping itu, diharapkan pemerintah juga memberikan insentif pada industri pariwisata." (ltc)

Sumber: Bisnis Indonesia

The rise of outbound travellers is because our neighboring countries are active in promoting their countries and they are doing a very good job about it. The drop of inbound travelers should be blamed on our own government as they don't know s#*@ :eek2: about promoting this beautiful country of ours and they don't have people capable in this kind of job. Just look around, Malaysia has Truly Asia, Thailand has (this changes every 1 or 2 years) a lot of good theme such as exotic Thailand, land of smiles, and so on. The Philippines now also has WOW more than just.......

What do you have? During Habibie time we had Let's GO INDONESIA - this was awkward and I did not like it at all. I understand that the meaning is to convert people to become more Indonesia in their way of thinking, but it was not a good theme.

Now, we did not even have any....and what have our government done to truly market the other part of our country besides Bali. Almost none.... I think all of us here at the forum have probably done more to introduce our country to the world than our own government effor. That's why Garuda is thru a bad time and the tourist arrival is dropping. With Visa on Arrival now, it is going to be worse.... this may be the only reason Garuda will discontinue its service to the one and only port in Europe. We have made it so damn hard for our Dutch friends to visit our country now.. They don't even have the visa on arrival facility.

So my point is, imposing fiscal tax on people who are traveling overseas is just one of the ways our government is trying to make money of its own people because of its own failure in generating more income from foreign traveller arrivals. It is not fair and should be abolished now. Instead of crying over the potential loss of tax revenue income from canceling fiscal tax, the government should really puts its act together now and promoting our country as she should have deserved for a long long time. Also, trying to rid of the corruption practices at state enterprises and the tax office itself will also help in the long run.

(I have to include the following because this is the mentality of most of our ministers including our incumbent president in the country....I have to apologize in advance for those who may find this a bit insulting to their faith. It is not intended to be so)

The problem with our society is that everything in Indonesia has to be God's willing (Insya Allah)....I myself am a religious person but I believe only in God's giving guidance. We are responsible for our own actions not God so we need to work hard ourselves to prove to the world. :bash:

Medan01, now our tourism campaign slogan is 'Ultimate in Diversity'

Tourism Optimism Amid Confusion
March 6, 2004 10:31 PM,

Laksamana.Net - The government launched a new tourism promotion campaign last week but there’s mixed news on arrivals and uncertainty over the impact of its new visa policy.

Tourists have stayed away in droves after a string of terrorist attacks rocked the country and damaged its image as a tourist destination – not least after 202 people, mainly foreign tourists, died in the Bali bombings of October 12, 2002.

There are already signs of improvement, as the number of tourist arrivals through the country’s 13 main entry points reached 358,369 in January - up 28.29% from the corresponding period last year.

The figure, however, was 1.93% lower than the 365,440 tourist arrivals recorded in December, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported early last week.

Minister for Culture and Tourism I Gede Ardika is betting on a positive year despite the onset of elections and a new pay-on-arrival visa policy.

He said on Wednesday last week (03/03/04) that arrivals could increase 16% on last year’s figures to 5.1 million this year aided by a new Rp90 billion ($10.5 million) tourism promotion campaign, reported Bloomberg News.

At the launch of the ‘Indonesia: Ultimate in Diversity’ campaign the next day, the Minister told the assembled guests that his office was optimistic it would reach its target of 5.1 million foreign tourist arrivals and $5.15 billion in revenue in 2004.

Curiously, many media are fond of citing last year’s tourism figures at 4.4 million arrivals and $4 billion in foreign exchange earnings – the government’s revised targets for the sector.

But only 3.69 million foreign tourists arrived last year generating revenue of around $3.33 billion, according to data from the ministry, the statistics bureau and the directorate general of immigration.

Whichever way you look at it, there’s some discrepancy in the figures that calls this year’s projections – and the optimism behind them – into question.

Apparent discrepancies in the data reported to and by the press should come in for greater scrutiny when the figures are released for February because the big issue this year is whether the new tourist visa policy has had an impact on the industry.

As of February 1, visitors from 18 countries who previously enjoyed free visas for a stay of up to 60 days now have to pay $25 for a stay of up to 30 days.

Ardika told a hearing with the House of Representatives early last week that he was positive the pay-on-arrival visa system applied to nationals of some of its largest tourism markets had not impacted on the industry.

He said that 67,243 foreign tourists arrived at Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar, Bali, between February 1-23, based on data from immigration officers at the airport, reported The Jakarta Post.

But data from the statistics bureau shows that 109,613 tourists passed through the airport at Indonesia’s premier tourist destination through the whole of January.

Bali arrivals actually increased 10.24% in January compared to December but there appears to be a significant drop immediately after the implementation of the new policy.

Conclusive data for February arrivals are not yet available and tourism operators are highly likely to step up their campaign against the new visa policy if significant falls in arrivals are recorded.

The tourism industry isn't going that bad...I've read recent news suggesting that the number of tourists so far have increased by 35% compared to 2003 (probably tourism's lowest point). Problem is, Indonesia lacks funds to promote its tourism, its tourism promotion budget is not even one tenth of Malaysia or Thailand's (we spend between $80-100 million, we only spend about the equivalent of less than $10 million a year).

But I agree with your point about corrupt practices. IF there was minimal corruption in Indonesia, we'd be much richer by now.

Yeah coruption becoming a culture in here ,if we throw 3 gravel in indonesia from a helicopter ,one of that gravel will hit a corupter head .
maybe we need a goverment leader like china,china is making progress to decrease their coruption.they don't have any tolerance in giving commutation to the corupter,they just hang them in the middle of city.that's way china is becoming one of asian leading country.

yea.. I actually admire the ironfist government in China..
none of the chinese people dare to mess around with the government..
not like in Indonesia.. they always have riots and all that crap..
dikit dikit demo, kerjanya tiap hari ngemis sama pemerintah and nuntut pemerintah untuk ini itu...

Actually, i cant blame why the Indonesian people so frustated by the government and doing so many demonstration, it happened because Indonesian government is actually the weakest government that doesnt provide social or even basic support to its own citizen. Simple thing is when we look at state university that supposed to be free or maybe cheaper than any other private university, UI (university Indonesia) just increase their fees to even as the same like any private university.

Even when people sick and they went to state hospital, its getting very expensive nowadays and very poor people cant afford the cost.

I like the idea to hang any corruptors, no matter what the human right activist says.

cheers

Yeah!
HANG THE CORRUPT OFFICIAL!
I will gladly vote for this kind of law.

China goverment is good. Yes they are corrupt. Yes they are ironfist. But yes they do ADVANCE the country. Just look a how their city look now.

I agree that we need to be real tough with the corruptor but sadly I don't believe in capital punishment. :weirdo:

There must be another way....

By the way, it is good to know that we have the theme now but what do we think of Ultimate in Diversity? (Thank you, Alvin!) I think it is missing something and it just sounds so formal. We should have a theme that's more catchy.....like "The Treasure of Southeast Asia" or "Land of Many Wonders" or "We Will Amaze You" or so on and on.....Here I go again........ :blahblah:

So, if we hung all the corruptors, i think we should build a cemetery skyscraper instead ground cemetery since there's no sufficient land to burry all the corpes .. Blah! Waht a stupid idea... I think just burn them all into ashes!!

This is more info on the cancellation of visa. Medan citizens used to be only fly to Penang in malaysia w/o paying fiscal. Now the whole malaysia is in effect. Good progress.

Medan issues new travel policy
National News - July 17, 2004


Apriadi Gunawan, Medan

The North Sumatra provincial administration announced on Friday that Indonesian nationals traveling to Malaysia through seaports and airports in Medan would not be required to pay a fiscal tax.

Speaking on behalf of the North Sumatra governor, a senior tax official said the fiscal-free departure would apply to Polonia Airport, and the Belawan and Tanjung Balai ports.

Bambang Heru Ismiarso, the head of North Sumatra's Directorate General of Taxation, said the new policy was introduced following a request by the Malaysian government to the North Sumatra governor.

The request was made through a letter dated June 6 this year, signed by Mohd Yusoff bin A. Bakar, Malaysia's consul general in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra province.

Fiscal-free travel would be aimed at boosting trade and tourism between the two countries, according to Yusoff in the letter.

"The new facility is taking effect today (Friday) at the request of the Malaysian government," Bambang said.

He said Director General of Taxation Hadi Purnomo had earlier imposed a fiscal-free policy for flights between Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, and Kuala Lumpur.

In addition to West Sumatra and North Sumatra, there are other five other provinces in Indonesia where a similar policy is in place: Aceh, Riau, Bengkulu, Jambi and South Sumatra.

Bambang said the tax office would lose revenue as a result of the new policy. According to data from Polonia Airport, the government collects Rp 3 billion (US$315,789) in revenue each month from fiscal payments at the airport.

The old fiscal policy required each person traveling to Malaysia through Polonia Airport to pay Rp 1,000,000 in fiscal, while those traveling to Malaysia through Belawan or Tanjung Balai ports were required to pay Rp 250,000.

The North Sumatra Tourism Board hailed the new policy, saying it would provide a boost to airlines and tourism-related businesses in North Sumatra.

Antara reported that flights on Malaysian Air System (MAS), the only airline offering direct flights between Medan and Kuala Lumpur, were nearly fully booked on Friday, the first day of the new policy.

A marketing officer at Polonia Airport said 80 percent of MAS tickets from Medan to Kuala Lumpur on Friday had been sold. MAS serves the Medan-Kuala Lumpur route twice a day, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., with return tickets costing $138.

wow... cannot imagine the potential jump of number of passanger of this applies nationwide.

Is fiscal policy decided by central government or provencial? Look like provencial government has the authority on. But then for CGK would be Banten to decide?

I can see why Jetstar asia (owned by Qantas) and tiger airways ready to join the competition in Indonesia with this fiscal policy gone.

Man..i like indonesia aviation! :cheers:

cheers

Indonesia to drop exit tax for overseas travellers

JAKARTA (Agencies): Indonesia plans to scrap an unpopular exit tax levied on foreign residents and citizens leaving the country that critics say has hurt business and regional tourism, a government official said on Wednesday.

The levy was introduced in 1979 but was quadrupled in 1997 to Rp 1 million (US$100) to raise revenues at the height of the Asian financial crisis.

Foreign residents in Indonesia and locals have to pay the tax, which is more expensive than many low-cost airfares within Southeast Asia, whenever they leave the country via airplane.

Presidential Secretary Bambang Kesowo told reporters at the State Palace that the government would scrap the tax by 2005.

Kesowo just speculated that the tax will no longer be collected in the 2005 budget year.

Southeast Asia governments have said the levy hurts regional tourist and business travel. Business leaders here have complained it made Indonesia less attractive to foreign investors. (**)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

is that fiscal rite? 2005 no fiscal and tax :cheers:


Cheers

More on this

Indonesia to drop tax for departing residents


Indonesia plans to scrap an unpopular exit tax levied on foreign residents and citizens leaving the country that critics say has hurt business and regional tourism, a government official said Wednesday.

The levy was introduced in 1979 but was quadrupled in 1997 to 1 million rupiah (US$100, euros 81) to raise revenues at the height of the Asian financial crisis.

Foreign residents in Indonesia and locals have to pay the tax, which is more expensive than many low-cost airfares within Southeast Asia, whenever they leave the country via airplane.

Presidential Secretary Bambang Kesowo told reporters at the State Palace that the government would scrap the tax by 2005. He did not elaborate.

Southeast Asia governments have said the levy hurts regional tourist and business travel. Business leaders here have complained it made Indonesia less attractive to foreign investors.

Source: AP

cheers

Now....This is what we have been waiting for! It will be booming for airports and airlines for now.....A good day for the aviation industry in Indonesia

same news in Bhs Indonesia from suarapembaruan.com
Yea yea yea... no more fiscal tax soon


Menkeu: Fiskal ke Luar Negeri Dihapus Bertahap
JAKARTA - Rencana pemerintah untuk menghapus biaya fiskal keluar negeri akan dilakukan secara bertahap. Hal itu dimaksudkan agar tidak menimbulkan dampak negatif terhadap penerimaan negara.

Demikian diungkapkan Menteri Keuangan, Boediono, seusai membuka seminar Arah Kebijakan Fiskal dan Moneter, di Jakarta, Kamis (19/8) pagi.

Sebelumnya, Sekretaris Negara Bambang Kesowo mengatakan bahwa pemerintah saat ini tengah mempersiapkan Keputusan Presiden (Keppres) mengenai penghapusan pembayaran fiskal atau pajak penghasilan bagi orang pribadi yang akan bertolak ke luar negeri.

Menurut Boediono, penghapusan fiskal itu memang tengah dikaji pemerintah. Diakui, arah dari kajian itu pada akhirnya memang akan menghilangkan biaya fiskal keluar negeri. ''Tapi ini masih sedang dalam kajian, karena memang ada dampaknya (menghilangkan fiskal) terhadap penerimaan,'' katanya.

Karena itu, kata Boediono untuk rencana penghapusan fiskal ini harus dilakukan secara bertahap agar tidak menimbulkan dampak negatif bagi penerimaan negara.

Pemerintah memang mempertimbangkan penghapusan fiskal ini agar sesuai dengan negara-negara ASEAN lainnya yang tidak ada lagi memberlakukan pungutan fiskal, namun harus juga diperhitungkan dampaknya bagi penerimaan negara. ''Penerimaan negara akan turun, tapi pengeluaran harus kita potong. Mana pengeluaran yang mau dipotong itu nanti akan kita sampaikan setelah ada hasil kajiannya,'' ujar Menkeu.

Dia menjanjikan dalam waktu dekat ini hasil kajian pemerintah terhadap rencana penghapusan fiskal akan disampaikan kepada publik. Namun Menkeu tidak menjelaskan tahapan-tahapan yang harus ditempuh untuk penghapusan fiskal ke luar negeri itu, karena menurutnya masih menunggu hasil kajian berikutnya.

Sebelumnya, Direktur Jenderal Pajak, Hadi Purnomo mengakui, akan ada penurunan penerimaan (potential loss) terhadap penerimaan negara sebesar Rp 1,2 triliun dari penghapusan biaya fiskal ke luar negeri.




Belum Terima

Dihubungi terpisah, Wakil Sekretaris Kabinet Erman Radjagukguk mengungkapkan, sampai saat ini pihaknya belum menerima draf Keppres mengenai penghapusan fiskal atau pajak penghasilan bagi orang pribadi yang akan bertolak ke luar negeri.

Draf itu semestinya disampaikan oleh Departemen Keuangan atau dari Direktorat Jenderal Pajak.

''Kalau tentang persiapan Keppres mengenai penghapusan fiskal itu, ya seperti yang disampaikan oleh Sekretaris Negara Bambang Kesowo kemarin itu, sampai sekarang belum ada perkembangan lebih jauh karena kami juga belum menerima drafnya dari Menteri Keuangan atau Dirjen Pajak,'' kata Erman. (L-10/M-11)

Do they maintain fiscal tax to trip outside ASEAN?

read this (in Bhs Indonesia) http://www.tempo.co.id/hg/ekbis/2004/08/20/brk%2c20040820-20%2cid.html

Kwik Kian Gie: Fiskal Dihapus, Negara Tak Rugi
JAKARTA - Menteri Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional/Kepala Bappenas, Kwik Kian Gie, Senin (23/8), menilai tidak ada potensi kerugian negara dalam penghapusan fiskal perjalanan ke luar negeri. Bahkan dengan adanya penghapusan fiskal itu, diharapkan akan menggairahkan pengusaha menengah untuk mencari peluang pasar ekspor ke luar negeri.

Sebelumnya, Kepala Badan Analisa Fiskal Depkeu, Anggito Abimanyu mengatakan, penghapusan biaya fiskal perjalanan ke luar negeri akan berpotensi hilangnya penerimaan negara sebesar Rp 1,2 triliun. Hal senada dikatakan oleh Dirjen Pajak, Hadi Purnomo.

''Tidak ada kerugian negara yang ditimbulkan dari penghapusan fiskal itu. Depkeu itu ngawur," kata Kwik. Menurut dia, saat ini banyak sekali pengusaha menengah yang mencari pasar di luar negeri, diperkirakan biaya perjalanan untuk mencari pasar di luar negeri itu sekitar Rp 300 miliar/tahun.

''Yang lebih tidak masuk akal, biaya fiskal itu dapat diklaim kembali. Itu bukan pembayaran pajak melainkan pembayaran di muka, yang nantinya diperhitungkan dengan pembayaran pajak akhir tahun,'' tambahnya.

Kwik Kian Gie membantah bahwa kebijakan penghapusan fiskal, yang sebelumnya disampaikan oleh Mensesneg, Bambang Kesowo dan akan berlaku tahun 2005, bukanlah suatu keputusan yang populis. (L-10)

But he is right. You do claim back your fiscal tax at the end of the fiscal year. So, the country cannot be losing such a big revenue anyway.

mmm.. i dont think many people know that we can claim it back.
and not many people is honest or even pay their income tax in indonesia.
so, on the spot tax like this is good for the government.
but not for us hehehe :)

Well, I wasn't aware about this, in the past I paid both fiscal and income tax. Never thought of claiming back fiscal I paid any time going abroad.... :(
Yes Kwik is right, since it can be claimed be (in theory) country won't be losing anyway...
Question: would they abolish fiscal completely or for those travelling to ASEAN country?

The possibility is within ASEAN, because ASEAN have a treaty with it countries for not to charge their citizen with departure tax.


cheers

Bali once more a holiday favourite
BALI is once again one of the top destinations for Asia-Pacific travellers, less than two years after a terrorist attack killed 202 people on the Indonesian resort island, a report received in Singapore yesterday showed.

Bangkok remained the top choice, followed by Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, with Bali in fifth place, according to an analysis by Singapore-based Zuji, a leading online travel booking company in the region.

Advertisement

London, Jakarta, Taipei and Manila were also among the 10 most-visited cities, said the report, which covered the June quarter.

'Bali is back,' it said, noting that the island, famed for its surf, beaches and local culture, was No. 13 in its previous report in the March quarter.

Massive car bombs exploded outside two nightclubs in Bali's entertainment district on October 12, 2002, killing 164 foreign holidaymakers and 38 Indonesians and devastating the island's tourist industry. -- AFP

Damn, it got deleted.....maybe it passed 3 months already without any activity.


lets keep posting in old threads guys, so the thread wont get delete

cheers

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/alvinpontoh/DSC03021.jpg

that's heaps good ad... not bad.. ehehhe
yeah.. about the fiskal.. kwik is right..
I like kwik.. he should be the minister of economy.. who's our minister of economy now?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/alvinpontoh/DSC03103.jpg

**From Thejakartapost.com**

Govt to mull visa-on-arrival expansion


Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Tourism and culture minister Jero Wacik has asked the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights to review the country's visa-on-arrival policy so more countries can enjoy the facility, a Cabinet member says.

Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Alawuddin said on Wednesday he would raise the issue for discussion.

"We will bring the issue to a ministerial meeting on political, legal and security affairs in the near future," Hamid said at his office on Wednesday.

Currently, citizens from 22 countries enjoy visa on arrival, which was introduced on Feb. 1, 2004. The countries are the United States, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Hungary, Finland, UK, Italy, Canada, Norway, Japan, Germany, Poland, South Korea, France, Switzerland, New Zealand and Taiwan.

Visa on arrival is available at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Polonia Airport in Medan, North Sumatra, I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, Bali, and Juanda Airport in Surabaya, East Java. It is also available at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya and Benoa Port in Bali.

The policy was part of the government's decision to revoke the visa-free facility for 48 countries. It later gave the visa-free facility to 12 countries on the basis of reciprocity.

The tourism and culture ministry has reportedly asked that several additional countries, including Egypt, be included on the list for visa on arrival.

"We will analyze the commercial potential and security aspects of each country," said Hamid.

Immigration chief Iman Santoso said the addition of countries eligible for visa on arrival would be aimed at improving the country's tourist industry.

"If the number of tourists from a certain country is large, why wouldn't we consider giving them the visa-on-arrival facility? It would be meant to improve our tourist industry," he said.

The imposition of the visa-on-arrival policy sparked controversy, particularly among tourism businesspeople who said it would prevent tourists from visiting the country.

Antara reported on Wednesday that during a meeting of the Bali Chamber of Commerce recently, some tourism businesspeople urged the government to cancel the policy and reintroduce the visa-free policy to encourage more tourists to visit the country.

Citizens of countries eligible for visa on arrival must pay US$10 for a 15-day visa or $25 for a 30-day visa.

Former justice and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said earlier this year the visa-on-arrival policy would boost state revenue from visa fees.

He said foreign tourists would not object to paying $10 or $25 for a visa.

Bank BNI in Denpasar recorded $10.3 million in state revenue from visa on arrival fees from February to June at Denpasar's I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport.

The number of foreign tourists arriving in Bali from January to June this year was 648,182, a 69 percent increase from the 283,408 foreign tourist arrivals for the same period in 2003, according to data from Bali tourism agency.

Indonesia's new visa policy irks tourists: survey

www.chinaview.cn 2004-10-30 16:33:10

JAKARTA, Oct. 30 (Xinhuanet) --The visa-on-arrival policy has discouraged foreigners from traveling to Bali, Indonesia's main tourist destination, a recent survey revealed.

Having interviewed 10,000 people, the survey found that more than 50 percent of those respondents will not return to Bali due to the new policy.

The survey was conducted by the Bali Hotels Association (BHA) in cooperation with the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), in response to the government's request for the tourist industry to provide "realdata" on the impact of the new visa policy which took effect in February 2004.

The results of the survey were presented to State Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik during a meeting of all stakeholders of the Bali tourist industry at the office of Bali Governor I Dewa Made Beratha, the Jakarta Post daily reported Saturday.

"Bali is the first province in Indonesia to have conducted sucha survey," said BTB Chairman Putu Agus Antara.

The visa policy restricts visa-free entry to tourists from 21 countries, down from the previous list of 60 countries. It exemptsthose from nine countries and two regions: Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Bali was hit by terror attacks in October 2002, which left 202 people dead, at a time when the tourist industry was struggling toregain its footing following the economic crisis at the end of the1990s.

In its recommendations, the BHA pushed for a quick and easy visa processing, particularly for key markets, and the extension of visa-on-arrival facilities to countries that have historically supported Indonesian tourism, including The Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Greece and Austria. Enditem

Good article on how much we ignore the potency of local tourist that so far contribute more than foreign tourist in this industry.

News in Bhs Indonesia, anyone volunteer to translate it?

Tata

Wisnus "gajah" yang terabaikan di pelupuk mata
oleh :
HIlda Sabri Sulistyo
Pemerhati Pariwisata
Bisnis Indonesia

Balairung Sapta Pesona di gedung Kementerian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata pada Jumat lalu dipenuhi oleh pejabat maupun ibu-ibu Dharma Wanita di lingkungan instansi itu. Sejumlah ketua asosiasi pariwisata, kalangan pers, para insan pariwisata dan mitra-mitra kerja instansi itu lainnya.

Siang itu, serah terima jabatan Menteri Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata I Gede Ardika kepada penggantinya. Jero Wacik cukup banyak mendapat perhatian terutama oleh industri pariwisata dan pers.

Kementerian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata akhirnya dikomandani lagi oleh seorang putra Bali, Jero Wacik yang masuk dalam jajaran anggota Kabinet Indonesia Bersatu dalam pemerintahan Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"Saya memang benar-benar wajah baru sehingga wartawan yang menulis berita tentang saya 50% salah menulis nama saya," katanya mengawali sambutannya pada kesempatan itu.

Sebagaimana menteri lainnya, sejuta harapan dipanggulkan di pundak Jero Wacik. Dia diharapkan membawa perubahan berarti dalam pengembangan pariwisata nasional. Setidaknya, melanjutkan serta menyempurnakan apa yang telah dirintis Menneg Budpar sebelumnya, I Gede Ardika.

Terlepas dari anggapan bahwa kehadiran Wacik di Kabinet Indonesia Bersatu atas dasar pertimbangan politis karena sebelumnya dia terlibat sebagai tim sukses dan salah satu pengurus DPP Partai Demokrat yang mengusung SBY ke Pilpres 2004 atau karena alasan profesional sebab dia ternyata pelaku bisnis jasa pariwisata juga. Tetapi , yang jelas selama hampir setengah jam Wacik dapat memaparkan komitmennya untuk mengembangkan pariwisata nasional dan pernyataannya cukup menenangkan sejumlah kalangan yang meragukan kehadirannya.

Bagi pria kelahiran Singaraja, Bali, 24 April 1949 ini, mendorong masyarakat untuk mengenal dan mencintai budayanya menjadi salah satu program prioritas yang akan dilakukannya. Dia juga menjamin pariwisata dan kebudayaan akan mendapatkan perhatian yang sama"

"Dalam pemanggilan sebagai calon menteri sebelumnya, Pak SBY sudah memberikan pengarahan kepada saya bahwa budaya sangat penting karena menyangkut identitas bangsa. Jadi masalah budaya justru lebih penting dari pariwisatanya," ujarnya.

Oleh karena itu Wacik mengaku segera akan membuat "kontrak" di kalangan internalnya (Kementrian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata) maupun dengan kalangan industri pariwisata berapa angka devisa yang diharapkan, berapa target kunjungan wisatawan mancanegara yang diinginkan dan bagaimana menggerakkan wisata nusantara dengan program seperti Kenali Negrimu, Cintai Negrimu dan lainnya.

Menarik memang membicarakan potensi wisatawan nusantara sebagai pidato diawal jabatan karena ibarat pepatah Gajah di pelupuk mata tak tampak, kuman d iseberang lautan keliatan, maka potensi wisata nusantara selama bertahun-tahun masih terus terabaikan karena pemerintah maupun industri pariwisatanya selalu terfokus untuk mengejar target kunjungan wisatawan mancanegara (wisman).

Untuk promosi pariwisata dalam negeri, misalnya, Kementerian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata hanya menganggarkan kurang dari 10% dari dana promosi yang ada karena selebihnya dipastikan untuk promosi luar negeri dan kegiatan lain. Padahal dari sisi penghasilan, devisa dari wisman kini hanya tercatat sekitar US$5 miliar (sekitar Rp 45 triliun) sementara dari kegiatan wisata nusantara atau pergerakkan wisatawan domestik mencapai Rp70 triliun.

Menneg Budpar Jero Wacik menyebutkan luasnya wilayah Indonesia dengan keindahan sumber daya alamnya yang berbeda-beda, merupakan potensi yang bisa dijual baik untuk wisatawan mancanegara, apalagi wisatawan dalam negeri.

"Banyak diantara kita yang sering ke luar negri tapi ternyata belum pernah berkunjung ke Ujung Pandang (Makassar), misalnya. Menggerakkan wisnus sebenarnya tak sulit asal konsisten," tegasnya. Dengan jumlah rakyat Indonesia yang cukup besar, potensi wisnus ini harus ditingkatkan persentase penyebarannya. Target Budpar sendiri, akan berupaya memperluas sebaran wisnus ini hingga menjadi 135,75 juta orang hingga akhir 2004

Perjalanan wisatawan nusantara atau lebih populer disingkat wisnus ini sejak 1991 menunjukkan kecendrungan yang terus meningkat. Meskipun sebenarnya data yang digunakan untuk melihat kinerja pertumbuhan wisnus ini terbatas pada data wisatawan yang menginap di akomodasi komersial (hotel bintang dan non bintang) namun dapat dicermati pengembangannya.

Tercatat pada tahun 1991 ada 72,1 juta pergerakan wisnus dengan jumlah pengeluaran Rp7,1 triliun. Tahun 1994 ada 83,6 juta pergerakan dengan frekuensi perjalanan 1,2 kali per tahun hingga menghasilkan pergerakan 100,4 juta orang. Jumlah tersebut meningkat pada 1996 menjadi 125,6 juta orang dengan pengeluaran Rp 123 triliun dan data Neraca pariwisata nasional (Nesparnas) menunjukkan tahun 2000 jumlah wisnus mencapai 109, 4 juta orang .

Jika dibandingkan dengan penduduk Indonesia yang mencapai 203 juta maka lebih separuh penduduk melakukan perjalanann wisata. Sementara batasan mengenai wisnus yang ditetapkan oleh Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) yaitu perjalanan dilakukan minimun 100 km, menginap di akomodasi internasional dan tidak melakukan kegiatan yang terkait dengan pekerjaan.

Menarik mencermati angka-angka di atas. Apalagi bila mengingat masyarakat Indonesia juga masih mengandalkan untuk menginap di rumah saudara atau teman dalam melakukan perjalanan wisata sehingga angka-angka itu jumlahnya bisa lebih besar lagi.

Oleh karena itu Kementerian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata perlu mengkaji data yang dimilikinya tentang lama tinggal wisnus, pilihan daerah tujuan wisata, pola pembelanjaannya dan berbagai karakteriktik lainnya yang selama ini belum digarap secara optimal. Di sisi lain, industri pariwisata sebagai ujung tombak pariwisata juga harus merubah paradigmanya untuk secara serius menggarap wisata nusantara dan melahirkan beragam produk wisata yang menarik.

Data Kementerian Budpar juga menyebutkan belum ada perubahan signifikan atas daerah yang paling banyak dikunjungi wisnus dari tahun ke tahun. Pada 2003 urutan daerah yang paling diminati wisnus adalah Jatim (20,52%), Jabar (18,03%), Sumatra kecuali Aceh (15,59%), dan Jateng (12,78%). Sedangkan daerah lainnya hanya mampu menyerap wisnus di bawah 10% dari total wisnus yang bergerak di Indonesia. Jakarta hanya mampu menyerap 6 persen wisnus, Bali dan Nusa Tenggara hanya 5,05%, dan Yogyakarta 2,43%.

Tentunya dibutuhkan kebijakan nasional untuk menggerakkan kunjungan wisman maupun wisnus apabila kabinet baru ingin mengandalkan pariwisata sebagai sumber pendapatan negara. Menurut Jero Wacik, banyak negara telah melakukan langkah dengan memberikan rangsangan bagi warganya agar terdorong berlibur di dalam negeri.

Tujuannya adalah jika ada gejolak yang sensitif bagi wisman seperti travel warning ke suatu negara tidak akan mempengaruhi proses perkembangan pariwisata di Indonesia. "Biaya perjalanan wisata di dalam negeri relatif terjangkau oleh semua kalangan masyarakat," katanya.

Agenda meningkatkan pontensi wisnus ini, diakui Jero Wacik, untuk melanjutkan program Budpar yang telah dirintis mantan menteri I Gede Ardika sebelumnya. Diakuinya, wisnus menjadi tulang punggung industri wisata nasional sehingga harus terus dipromosikan, baik di dalam negeri maupun diluar negeri. Produk wisata yang dijual diutamakan daerah wisata yang memiliki nilai jual tinggi.

Wacik yang pada kesempatan pertamanya bertemu dengan berbagai insan pariwisata berjanji akan cepat belajar dari para senior dan kalangan industri pariwisata diharapkan tidak mengobral janji tapi segera mewujudkan program 100 harinya.

Karena itu rencana bertemu dengan kalangan industri pariwisata dan unsur-unsur lainnya hendaknya segera diwujudkan sebab seperti bidang pendidikan, kesehatan yang sudah muncul dengan gebrakan-gebrakan barunya maka masyarakat pariwisata Ibndonesia juga menantikan hal yang sama pada sosok pembaharu ini. Mudah-mudahan keinginan Jero Wacik yang disampaikan pada pidato awalnya untuk tancap gas mengejar ketertinggalan pariwisata Indonesia segera terwujud. Semoga!

I heard new countries will be added in Visa On arrival list....thats including those european nations mentioned above.

cheers

but i've read news reports saying that the visa on arrival policy has in fact discouraged tourists from visiting Bali again..

The problem with the visa, 25 dollars only get you 30 days, NOT enough to go around in Indonesia for 30 days only. I am suggesting 25 bucks for 60 days.

cheers

previously they get FREE 60-day visa, how good was that? I wonder why the govt. decided to make the max stay (w/o extension) to 30 days rather than 60 days...WHY?????? it just doesn't make sense. :bash:

I think the government (which were lead by the Justice minister) thinking that the foreign tourists are abusing their free VISA facility, therefore they work illegaly and doing suspicious thing (like supporting the separatist, etc). Its a mixed feeling I got though, Unless the money from the Visa can be used for it purpose, I dont really mind. But please make it 60 days and 15 dollars for 30 days.

cheers

I am surprised to see Jakarta is number four, overtaken Bali.

Jakarta, Bali in top ten destinations for Asia-Pacific online bookings: Survey

SINGAPORE (AFP): Bangkok remains the top destination for Asia-Pacific travellers who book flights and hotel rooms online, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore, a survey released on Tuesday showed.

The Indonesian resort island of Bali also kept its position as one of the top 10 destinations for the second consecutive quarter in the survey carried out by ZUJI, a leading online travel portal in the region.

The Indonesian capital Jakarta was in fourth place, followed by Kuala Lumpur and London.

Bali was the seventh most popular destination, trailed by Taipei, Los Angeles and Colombo, Sri Lanka, which rounded up the top 10 list.

Among Australians who booked their travel online, Bali was a "top five" destination", two years after the devastating terrorist bomb attack on the resort that killed 202 people, 88 of them Australian holiday-makers.

The survey on demographic and booking trends in the Asia-Pacific covered the three months to September.

It said 67 percent of those who booked online said they will take at least one business trip this year and an average 15 percent expect to travel for business six more times, partly due to the emergence of budget carriers.

"ZUJI predicts the current online user group will further differentiate during the next 12 months -- driven in part by the anticipated proliferation of low cost carrier airlines across the Asia Pacific region, bringing new consumer segments online," the survey said.

Among the survey's significant findings is the rise in the usage of electronic air tickets. In the September quarter survey, 30 percent of tickets issued were electronic, up from 15 percent during the first quarter.

Ninety-seven percent of travel transactions were paid using credit cards.

ZUJI is a joint venture between 15 major Asia Pacific airlines and Travelocity, an international web-based travel portal. (***)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JAKARTA - Tourism minister Jero Wacik predicted that Indonesia will earn US$5.3 billion from the tourism sector next year, up from this year's target of US$4.76 billion.

Wacik said 5.9 million foreign tourists are projected to visit the country in 2005, up from an estimated 5.3 million this year.

One VISA for ALL ASEAN countries.

Aseanta Ingin Satu Visa Untuk Asean

The Asean Tourism Association (Aseanta) tengah berupaya keras untuk menggolkan penggunaan satu visa untuk negara-negara di Asean guna menjadikan kawasan itu sebagai single destination. Menurut Elly Hutabarat, vice president Aseanta, dengan bisa dikeluarkannya satu visa untuk wisatawan asing yang mau mengunjungi 10 negara di Asean, merupakan salah satu tujuan yang ingin dicapai Aseanta.

"Kami [Aseanta] akan berusaha untuk mewujudkan bagaimana orang dari luar Asean bisa masuk ke negara Asean dengan satu visa untuk beberapa negara," katanya di sini pekan lalu.

Dengan bisa dikeluarkannya satu visa untuk memasuki 10 negara di kawasan Asean, ujarnya, diharapkan bisa mewujudkan Asean sebagai tujuan tunggal (single destination).

Dia mengatakan Aseanta mengharapkan negara-negara di Asean bisa mempunyai sikap dan memberikan perlakuan yang sama kepada wisatawan yang berkunjung, salah satunya dalam hal visa.

Menurut dia, penggunaan satu visa untuk mengunjungi semua negara di Asean pada dasarnya didukung semua negara di Asean, namun saat ini kebijakan dalam memberikan visa kepada wisatawan asing masih berbeda satu negara dengan negara lainnya.

Dia mengatakan Aseanta mematok 2009 diharapkan sudah bisa diterbitkannya satu visa untuk asing di luar orang Asean yang mau masuk ke negara-negera di Asean.

"Saat ini memang masih dalam pembicaraan yang dini. Tapi bisa juga besok lusa, mengingat Asean cepat bertindak, dan mungkin perkembangannya [visa satu untuk semua negara Asean] akan cepat juga berlaku," katanya.

Di samping penggunaan satu visa untuk seluruh negara di Asean, Elly juga mengatakan juga diharapkan untuk penduduk di Asean yang mau mengunjungi negara di Asean, tak perlu menggunakan paspor lagi.

Melainkan cukup dengan menggunakan smart card (semacam kartu Asean). "Dengan demikian [penduduk] antar Asean bebas ke luar masuk di kawasan Asean," ujarnya.

Mengenai kemungkinan penggunaan satu visa untuk semua negara di Asean serta penggunaan smart card sebagai pengganti paspor untuk lintas kawasan Asean bagi penduduknya, ujar Elly, merupakan salah satu bahasan yang akan dilemparkan dalam Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) yang rencananya akan diselenggarakan awal 2005.

Disambut baik
Keinginan Aseanta untuk mengeluarkan visa untuk seluruh negara Asean disambut baik oleh Yanti Sukamdani Hardjoprakoso, president Asean Hotel & Restaurant Association (AHRA).

"Menurut saya satu visa untuk semua negara di Asean sangat efisien. Hal ini memudahkan orang dari Eropa atau Amerika, misalnya, untuk datang ke wilayah Asean," ujarnya.

Jika bisa diberlakukan, katanya, maka akan memberikan kemajuan yang luar biasa. Karena kemudahan itu akan mendorong orang untuk datang ke Asean. "Karena orang yang ingin datang ke Asean tidak perlu menunggu ke luarnya visa, bahkan hingga dua minggu lamanya."

Yekti P. Suradji, sekjen Association of the Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (Asita) juga mendukung jika satu visa untuk negara-negara di Asean bisa terwujud. "Dampaknya akan sangat baik. Karena sekarang ini pun seperti orang China yang mau datang ke Indonesia, juga [seringkali terbentur dengan masalah] mendapatkan visa."

Sebagai gambaran dari dampak positif yang ditimbulkan dengan satu visa untuk bersama, adalah sechzen. Dengan sechzen, maka hanya membutuhkan satu visa untuk memasuki sepuluh negara, yaitu Belanda, Belgia, Luxemburg, Prancis, Jerman, Portugal, Italia, Spanyol, Austria, dan Yunani.

"Jika ada satu visa untuk beberapa negara, maka akan mempermudah. Sehingga kemudahan itu diharapkan akan menimbulkan keinginan orang untuk pergi [ke kawasan yang sepakat mengeluarkan satu visa]," ujarnya. (ltc)

Sumber: Bisnis Indonesia

Visitors enter the dragon's lair as reptiles aid Indonesia's tourism revival

Wed Nov 10, 1:42 PM ET


KOMODO, Indonesia (AFP) - A monster lizard with fearsome claws, a flickering forked tongue and a killer bite is proving an unlikely ally in Indonesia's efforts to revive a tourism industry shattered by the October 2002 Bali bombing.
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20041110/capt.sge.evl31.101104184241.photo00.photo.default-272x375.jpg

AFP/File Photo



Though many travellers have been put off visiting the Southeast Asian nation in the wake of the attacks in which 202 people died, on a nearby island, the giant Komodo dragon has proved an enduring attraction to curious holidaymakers.


Officials on the tiny island of Komodo, to the east of Bali, expect visitors to increase by one third in 2004 from a year earlier as crowds flock to quake before "varanus komodoensis", one of the world's largest carnivorous reptiles.


Named "dragon", probably because of its long, yellow tongue, this prehistoric-looking animal lives in freedom only on Komodo and a few neighbouring islands.


The creature can grow up to three metres long, kill a deer with a blow of its tail and devour a whole goat including skull and horns, but huge efforts are made to protect its dwindling numbers as Indonesia strives to safeguard a living heritage and one its major attractions.


Equipped with a long stick to fend-off possible attack, Mohammed Yoka Desthuraka works as a guide to hikers on the slopes of the Komodo National Park -- an area set up in 1980 to preserve the island and surrounding sea.


"They are unique animals, sometimes aggressive, sometimes lazy, sometimes they look friendly," Desthuraka says as he steps around the carcass of a buffalo attacked three days earlier by the giant monitor lizards.


Despite their cumbersome appearance, Komodos can run as fast as a dog in short bursts and jump onto their hind legs to unleash impressive front leg claws.


Most visitors keep a safe distance from dragons, particularly after hearing the cautionary tale of a Swiss tourist several years ago of whom nothing was found but a pair of spectacles and a camera.


"We have become more careful. Now tourists are accompanied by rangers," says park director Matheus Halim.


Some 70 rangers are deployed across the park's 60,000 hectares of vegetation and 120,000 hectares of ocean to ensure that no more people fall prey to the lizards and that the deer that feed the reptiles do not fall prey to hunters.


With poachers facing 10 years' jail, dragon numbers have now stabilised to about 2,500 reptiles says Halim, who keeps tabs on the powerful dragons using electronic chips embedded under their scaly skin.


"We try to keep them secure, to provide them enough food, to offer them good habitat, whatever they need."


The health of the reptiles is also supervised closely, in particular by researchers from Australia and the US city of San Diego.


In a further effort to protect Komodo's environment, the practice of fishing with dynamite has been outlawed to halt the widespread destruction of rich coral reef's off the island's shores.


The number of illegal explosions passed from 321 in 1993 to zero in 2002, according to Halim. Komodo's manta ray-filled seabeds, are today said to be among the most beautiful in Indonesia, if not the world.


As Komodo's park flourishes, it has become more of an attraction to those wishing to appropriate its valuable fauna and flora, which Halim guards jealously, even refusing to send dragons to zoos overseas.





Scientific research is also restricted, although the creature has yet to yield all its secrets -- in particular its bacteria-riddled saliva which infects the victims of its bites and an incredibly efficient digestive system.

Anyone ever been to Komodo Island? How is it?

cheers

I saw another ad today in the Economist's "The World in 2005" annual publication as part of the 'Ultimate in Diversity' campaign.
It looks great...it had three pictures ..one of a natural hot spring/spa site somewhere in Java (I forgot),, another one a picture of Bali, and another one depicting Borobudur. Hope tourism recovers quickly..and not just Bali . I hope Indonesia realises its potential as a premiere tourist destination in Asia.

Has anyone ever seen the advertisement of Indonesian tourism in CNN? I've seen it and it is pathetic. It's about 5 seconds long and it does not even show the buety of our country. The tourism board need to look at Malaysia's tourism drive. They are doing a fantastic job in promoting themselves. To the point that I'm actually humming to the Mayalsia Truly Asia theme song.

well, I saw the ones on CNBC a few weeks ago...its quite good and substantial, about 30 second long. Yes I agree it doesn't compare to Malaysia or Thailand's, but you gotta take into consideration how much money we spend on tourism promotion compared to them, it DOES show...

Btw I must add to my comment above that it is better to have somewhat crappy ads compared to no ads at all.. :)

I agree, better some ads than no ads at all. Anyway, i think the 'ultimate in diversity' series ads (if i'm not wrong CNBC also plays them) are not too bad.

Travel News: Thursday, 25 Nov 2004 9:31:55 WIB

Dinas Pariwisata DKI Jakarta akan menggelar Enjoy Jakarta Shopping & Fashion pada Desember hingga Januari sebagai salah satu upaya untuk menggalakkan wisata belanja. Aurora Tambunan, Kepala Dinas Pariwisata DKI Jakarta, mengakui salah satu daya tarik wisatawan lokal dan asing ke Jakarta adalah berbelanja karena begitu banyak fasilitas yang tersedia.

"Orang dari luar seperti dari Malaysia dan Singapura bisa datang ke Jakarta khusus untuk berbelanja. Mereka mendatangi Tanah Abang dan mal Mangga Dua," katanya di sini kemarin.

Dia mengatakakan jika dibandingkan Singapura, di Jakarta masih bisa ditemukan produk dengan harga lebih murah, sehingga Dinas Pariwisata DKI Jakarta ingin mengangkat kegiatan daya tarik berbelanja untuk menarik wisatawan mengunjungi Jakarta.

"Kami inginkan mereka [wisatawan] datang bukan hanya untuk bisnis. Tapi bisa menambah satu hari tinggal, misalnya, untuk keperluan berbelanja, main golf, atau melakukan perawatan tubuh dengan spa."

Dia mengakui fokus wisata belanja saat ini adalah wisatawan Asia seperti Singapura, Kuala Lumpur, Jepang, Taiwan, Hong Kong dan Korea.

Sebab, lanjutnya, turis AS dan Eropa masih khawatir mengunjungi Jakarta. "Jadi kami ambil target yang bisa dicapai." (ltc)

**from jawapos.co.id**

ITPC Bisa Lakukan Promosi Investasi dan Wisata

JAKARTA- Permintaan Kadin agar ada penggabungan badan promosi investasi, ekspor, dan pariwisata direspon positif oleh BPEN (Badan Pengembangan Ekspor Nasional). Dalam hal ini, Ketua BPEN, Diah Maulida mengatakan bahwa badan yang dipimpinnya siap sinergi bersama BKPM dan Kementrian Budpar untuk melaksanakan promosi bersama. Promosi secara terpadu tersebut bisa menggunakan fasilitas ITPC (Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre) di tujuh negara.

"Pada prinsipnya kami bisa melakukan kerjasama promosi investasi, wisata, dan ekspor secara sekaligus sehingga efisien biaya dan waktu. Untuk itu, kami sedang menjajaki kemungkinan itu melalui koordinasi lintas departemen," papar Ketua BPEN, Diah Maulida, kepada koran ini, di Jakarta, kemarin.

Hal ini dilakukan karena saat ini BPEN memiliki anggaran promosi dagang dan lembaga promosi khusus (ITPC) di 7 negara yang mewakili 4 benua. Pembangunan ITPC tersebut dilakukan untuk meningkatkan penerobosan pasar ke negara-negara non tradisional melalui pemantapan lembaga promosi di luar negeri dan peningkatan promosi. ITPC tersebut berada di Dubai-Uni Emirat Arab (UEA), Osaka-Jepang, Los Angeles-Amerika Serikat, Budapest-Hongaria, Johannesburg-Afrika Selatan, dan Sao Paolo-Brazil.

Setidaknya, keberadaan ITPC telah mampu mendongkrak capaian ekspor Indonesia. Tahun ini, ekspor non migas Indonesia hampir dipastikan mengalami pertumbuhan 7 persen atau mencapai USD 50 miliar. "Adanya ITPC di 7 negara telah mampu membuat nilai ekspor terus meningkat signifikan terutama di tujuan ekspor non tradisional," tutur Diah. Selain itu, lanjutnya, pameran dagang di luar negeri juga sangat efektif memperkenalkan keunggulan produk-produk Indonesia.

Pameran dagang di luar negeri yang setiap tahun dilakukan Indonesia adalah Indonesia Solo Exhibition (ISE) di Sharjah-Uni Emirat Arab dan Beijing-China. Selain itu, BPEN juga rutin menggelar PPEI (Pameran Produk Ekspor Indonesia) di Jakarta dengan mengundang ribuan buyers dari mancanegara. (faq)

Beyond my expectation. Bali is contributing 2 million tourist alone.

Tourist arrivals to Indonesia up to 5.32 million

JAKARTA (Antara): The total number of foreign tourists arriving in Indonesia, including through smaller entry points, reached 5.32 million in 2004, an increase of 19.12 percent from 4.47 million in 2003, an official said on Tuesday.

"The increase shows that the tourist industry in Indonesia has recovered after slumping over the previous two years," said Mulyono Muah, deputy chairman of statistics and methodology at the Central Bureau of Statistics.

The number of foreign tourists arriving through Indonesia's 13 main entry points alone increased by 23.04 percent to 4.54 million last year from 3.69 million in 2003, Mulyono said.

Mulyono said spending by tourists was expected to increase by 18.85 percent from US$4 billion in 2003 to $4.8 billion last year.

He said last November tourists stayed an average of only 1.99 days at star-rated hotels in 10 tourist destinations throughout the country. (**)

Taman Bunga (Flower Garden) CIPANAS, WEST JAVA INDONESIA
Pictures taken in July 2004

Enjoy,
Tata

http://img201.exs.cx/img201/7930/dscn26325kd.jpg

http://img201.exs.cx/img201/9927/dscn26415lm.jpg

http://img201.exs.cx/img201/3298/dscn26669vb.jpg

http://img201.exs.cx/img201/2817/dscn26378nv.jpg

http://img201.exs.cx/img201/8243/dscn26395jp.jpg

http://img201.exs.cx/img201/1432/dscn26834dw.jpg

http://img201.exs.cx/img201/3641/dscn26477qs.jpg

http://img201.exs.cx/img201/1583/dscn26654uj.jpg

Nice pics Tata.
Glad to see this place still survive.
I havent been there for ages!!

Photos from my latest trip to Bromo Mountain, East Java

http://img233.exs.cx/img233/4296/bromo7xg.jpg

Looking down into the crater

http://img233.exs.cx/img233/6041/bromo20yq.jpg

Great pictures, thanks...looks so beautiful!

cheers

Nice pics Tata.
Glad to see this place still survive.
I havent been there for ages!!

not only it survives but also maintained very2 well. Despite a lot of visitors, the park is very clean

tata

www.jawapos.co.id

Selasa, 08 Feb 2005,
Wisman China Ditarget 2,5 Juta


JAKARTA - Kementerian Budaya dan Pariwisata menargetkan bisa menggaet 2,5 juta wisatawan mancanegara (wisman) asal China selama 2005-2009. Target tersebut didasarkan atas tersedianya faktor aksesibilitas yang cukup memadai antara China dan Indonesia.

"Agar target itu dapat dipenuhi, diperlukan upaya promosi yang lebih gencar dan berkesinambungan di wilayah China, termasuk Hongkong," kata Deputi Bidang Pemasaran Kementerian Budaya dan Pariwisata Udin Saefudin di Jakarta kemarin.

Salah satu upaya promosi yang diharapkan dapat mendorong laju kenaikan jumlah wisman adalah mengikuti berbagai bursa pariwisata, dan sales mission (TTI). Udin mengakui, selama ini tujuan wisata yang diminati antara lain Bali, Jogjakarta, dan Jakarta. Sedangkan, objek dan daya tarik wisata yang diminati adalah budaya, pantai, dan pegunungan.

"Perkembangan kunjungan wisman dari China ke Indonesia cukup menggembirakan, Namun, kenaikannya masih belum memberikan kontribusi signifikan jika dibandingkan dengan negara tujuan wisata lainnya di Asia Tenggara, seperti Thailand dan Singapura. Tapi, kita masih punya peluang," jelasnya. Selain wisman asal Negeri Tirai Bambu, prioritas yang diincar juga wisman Timur Tengah dan Jepang.

Dia menambahkan, menurut survei National Tourism Administration China pada 1999, 40 persen lebih penduduk China memanfaatkan liburan. Selain itu, lebih dari 80 persen wisatawan menyukai liburan bersama keluarga. "Kesempatan liburan bagi mereka adalah pada libur Tahun Baru Imlek (Februari) dan liburan nasional (Oktober)," bebernya.

Pemerintah China, lanjut dia, sejak 1997 mengizinkan biro-biro perjalanan wisatanya mengorganisir paket turis ke luar negeri. Negeri dengan penduduk terbesar itu telah menetapkan 43 negara tujuan wisata termasuk Indonesia. Meningkatnya jumlah wisman China juga didorong semakin banyaknya negara yang memberikan kemudahan keimigrasian. "World Tourism Organization memperkirakan pada 2010 jumlah wisman China akan mencapai 100 juta orang," pungkasnya. (sor)

Anybody know how Nias fared after the tsunami? Me and a couple buddies are thinking about surfing the area.

Senin, 07/02/2005 16:34 WIB
West Java Days digelar di Australia dan Prancis
oleh : Asep Mh. Mulyana

BANDUNG (Bisnis): Disbudpar Jabar tahun ini akan menggelar West Java Days di Australia dan Prancis untuk memperkenalkan potensi budaya dan wisata kepada masyarakat negara tersebut.

I. Budhyana, Kepala Disbudpar Jabar, mengemukakan pelaksanaan acara yang akan menampilkan atraksi seni Jabar itu bekerja sama dengan Konsul Jenderal Kebudayaan Indonesia di kedua negara itu.

"West Java Days atau Sundaness Days akan diadakan di Sydney pada 14 dan 15 Maret 2005. Sedangkan di Prancis direncanakan pada musim panas tahun ini," ujarnya di Bandung hari ini.

Menurut dia, pihaknya sudah berbicara dengan Konjen Kebudayaan RI di negara tersebut dan akan mengemas acara semenarik mungkin sebagai bentuk promosi pariwisata Jabar di luar negeri melalui bahasa seni.

Deddy S. Warmana, Kasubdin Pariwisata Disbudpar Jabar, menambahkan meskipun menampilkan atraksi kesenian, West Java Days mengandung unsur promosi kepariwisataan, dengan harapan masyarakat negara itu tertarik datang ke Indonesia, khususnya Jabar.

"Sebagian wisatawan mancanegara yang masuk ke Jabar berasal dari Australia, walaupun jumlahnya belum terlalu besar," paparnya.

Budhyana mengatakan acara tersebut merupakan bagian dari program promosi pariwisata ke luar negeri, selain mengikuti Asean Tourism Forum, PATA, China International Travel Mart serta road show ke beberapa negara di Asia.

"Kami juga akan memperkuat fungsi website sebagai salah satu alat promosi dengan meningkatkan kualitas promosi supaya mudah dibaca oleh calon wisatawan." paparnya.

Pada tahun ini, Jabar yang menargetkan 1 juta kunjungan wisman juga akan memanfaatkan peringatan Konferensi Asia Afrika di Bandung April mendatang untuk menyebarkan info kepariwisataan yang dikemas dalam bentuk brosur dan VCD.

Menurut dia, rata-rata lama tinggal wisman di Jabar dua hari karena turis umumnya menjadikan provinsi ini sebagai tempat transit dari paket perjalanan Java Overland.

"Kami agak kesulitan meningkatkan lama tinggal turis asing, terlebih tahun ini terjadi tsunami di Aceh yang menimbulkan kekhawatiran untuk mengunjungi obyek wisata pantai selatan Jabar."

Guna memulihkan kepercayaan turis domestik maupun asing, kata dia, Disbudpar menyiapkan recovery program dengan dana sekitar Rp500 juta untuk sosialisasi kondisi geografis pantai selatan serta kegiatan di sekitar pantai.

Singles, couples flock to Jakarta this Lunar New Year
By Chua Chin Chye, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Singaporeans have been heading overseas in droves this Lunar New Year season.

For singles and young couples, it seems the top destination is the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

For those with families who join tour groups, their choice is Australia.

Just a week of holidays is not long enough for faraway destinations, like Europe or the USA.

So, most people prefer shorter regional destinations.

Online travel portal Zuji says Hong Kong was the top getaway destination last Chinese New Year.

But this year, it has been overtaken by Jakarta.

Sean Seah, Manager, Singapore/Zuji, said, "Online demand for Jakarta has grown 400 percent at Zuji, making it the top travel destination this year. Other top destinations in the top five include include Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Bali."

Industry observers point to many factors - an increase in the number of flights to Jakarta, especially with offers from budget carriers; and the security situation there has improved tremendously over the past year.

Zuji says its travel bookings to Jakarta tripled over the Lunar New Year.

Most of its customers travel alone or in pairs.

As for group tours, Chan Brothers says Australia continues to be the top destination, followed by China and Hong Kong.

Chan Guat Cheng, Executive Director, Chan Brothers, said, "For China, they like to visit the eastern part, and Beijing. They will go to the normal tourist attractions. And also, I think most importantly, they go there to feel the Chinese New Year, in China. The food....the weather at this time is quite cool."

Mr Seah said, "Hong Kong is convenient and dynamic. And it's only a few hours away. The city changes every so often. Plus, over the Chinese New Year period, it's very deserted. A lot of people travel out of Hong Kong, which makes it the best time to get a seat at a local yam cha restaurant, or to go shopping at this time."

Chan Brothers says its travel bookings overall have risen 10 percent this Lunar New Year.

But not benefiting from that are tsunami-hit areas, like Phuket, the Maldives, or Colombo.

Zuji says Phuket was ranked 17th during last Lunar New Year.

But this year, it has dropped off the top 20 altogether. - CNA

Wow, thats cool.
But personally I never suggest any of my friend here to go to Jakarta, unless they have a good TRANSPORT plan or someone that can drive them around.
I dont want them to get lost in Jakarta web of roads hehehe :D :D

Nice to hear that! I agree with sanhen, transportation would perhaps be the biggest headache to travellers. (esp. since jams can cause taxi fare to double). Anyway, the good news is that now we have busway. :) So, maybe you want to advise your friends to stay in hotels with busway access. Haha.

Anybody know how Nias fared after the tsunami? Me and a couple buddies are thinking about surfing the area.

I suggest not this time, I was reading the whole news today and its all about that harvey storm coming from Australia, expected to reach Indonesia south shores by next week.

If you want to surf this coming weeks...My pick is G-land... the wave is as high as Big island, Hawaii.

cheers

Hotels expect higher occupancy rates
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The country's hotel industry is expected to grow this year, marked with an increase in occupancy rates, if the economy grows by an annual rate of 6 percent during the 2004-2009 period, says one executive.

Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) chairwoman Yanti Sukamdani said on Friday that last year's general election -- which was successful and peaceful -- also encouraged investors to do business in the country.

"Improvement in business will increase traveling activities," she told The Jakarta Post.

Yanti estimated that hotel occupancy rates in Jakarta, Bali and Batam would increase to an average of 60 percent this year from 55 percent last year. Capital Jakarta, Batam industrial island and Bali tourist island have become indicators for PHRI to monitor developments in the hotel industry.

The hotel industry, she said, was unlikely to be affected by the deadly Dec. 26 tsunami in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and parts of North Sumatra. At least 238,945 people died in the tsunami and 410,000 were made homeless.

In comparison, the industry was seriously affected by the Bali bombings in October 2002 that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners.

Separately, the director of communications of Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta, Ratna Sjamsiar Idris, said that international events such as last month's Infrastructure Summit encouraged investment in the country, including in the hotel industry.

Yanti and Ratna said that increased investment in the country would also encourage businesspeople to establish new hotels in the country.

In Jakarta alone, at least two new hotels located in South Jakarta are under construction.

Ratna said Shangri-La Jakarta was expected to increase its occupancy rate to between 60 percent and 65 percent this year from between 40 percent and 60 percent last year.

She said her hotel's management was optimistic that the hotel's revenue would increase by 15 percent to 25 percent this year.

Meanwhile, assistant public relations manager of Hotel Nikko Jakarta, Sugeng Purnomo, said his hotel was aiming to increase its occupancy rate to 86 percent this year from 76 percent last year.

"We are optimistic (with the increase) because we have established our market segment," he said, adding that his hotel's guests mostly came from Japan and Indonesia. Japanese guests generally stay at the hotel on weekdays and domestic guests at weekends. (004)

Which 2 new hotels in south Jakarta are now under construction ,guys ??

Taken from bisnis.com


Senin, 14/02/2005 10:51 WIB
Promosi pariwisata butuhkan dana US$50 juta
oleh : Hilda Sabri Sulistyo

JAKARTA (Bisnis): Promosi pariwisata Indonesia tahun ini membutuhkan dana sedikitnya US$50 juta selain dukungan kebijakan pemasaran dari instansi terkait agar target kunjungan enam juta wisman dapat tercapai.

Ketua PHRI Yanti Sukamdani mengatakan pemasaran produk pariwisata RI perlu mendapat dukungan dari Depdag, Deplu dan Departemen Hukum dan HAM selain dari Departemen Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata.

"Dukungan dan kerjasama lintas sektoral yang tinggi itu misalnya dari Depkeu dan Bappenas dalam hal budget promosi. Sementara Departemen Kehakiman dan HAM agar memberikan bebas biaya fiskal terutama bagi kalangan industri pariwisata yang promosi di luar negri."

Selama ini, ujarnya, kalangan industri pariwisata yang harus melakukan kegiatan promosi di luar negri bersama Depbudpar tidak mendapatkan fasilitas bebas fiskal, sementara kegiatan promosi yang dilakukan instansi lain bisa mendapatkan fasilitas itu.

Dukungan dari Deplu juga dibutuhkan untuk mewujudkan pembukaan kantor perwakilan promosi wisata di Australia, Jepang dan China untuk tahun 2005, Timur Tengah dan Eropa tahun depan dan perwakilan di Amerika Utara tahun 2007.

Kedubes dan Konjen RI di mancanegara hendaknya memberikan dukungan dengan meningkatkan pelayanan sehingga dapat meningkatkan jumlah kunjungan wisman.

"Masyarakat Indonesia di luar negeri mulai dari para pelajar, mahasiswa, para pekerja, asosiasi dan kalangan swasta RI juga dapat mendukung kegiatan promosi pariwisata Indonesia dengan menciptakan berbagai program," kata Yanti.

Pemerintah, ujarnya, agar mendorong semua instansi pemerintah untuk mengarahkan semua kegiatan internasional yang berkaitan dengan meeting, incentive,conference dan exhibition untuk diselenggarakan di Indonesia.

Untuk meningkatkan jumlah kunjungan wisman ke Indonesia, semua instansi terkait agar meningkatkan pelayanan. Di Departemen Kehakiman dan HAM diharapkan ada revisi kebijakan visa misalnya penambahan negara-negara yang mendapat fasiltas Visa on Arrival (VoA).

Pelayanan visa di berbagai pintu masuk harus ditingkatkan termasuk memberikan visa kolektif bagi turis yang berkunjung langsung ke tiga negara. Diperlukan pula clearing house untuk mengurus visa.

"Malah sebaiknya wisatawan bisa perpanjang visa di Indonesia karena sudah saatnya kita serius untuk menjaring wisatawan senior yang lama tinggalnya bisa panjang. Mereka pensiunan yang memiliki kemampuan untuk berwisata di mancanegara," kata Yanti.

Dari Departemen Perhubungan, pihaknya mengharapkan adanya peningkatan fasilitas dan pelayanan di pelabuhan maupun di airport agar dalam satu koordinasi. Dibutuhkan kebijakan udara lainnya seperti penambahan kapasitas air seat, aksesibilitas ke destinasi wisata yang potensial dan tambahan low cost airline dan charter flight.

Pelayanan transportasi untuk wisatawan juga perlu ditingkatkan misalnya bus-bus, kereta api ke pusat kota dan ke destinasi utama.

"Perbankan juga perlu memberikan dukungan untuk industri pariwisata termasuk asuransi sehingga sektor ini dapat menjadi penggerak ekonomi negara,"

Kerjasama lintas sektoral yang tinggi sangat dibutuhkan industri ini karena devisa yang diharapkan dari kunjungan 6 juta wisman tahun ini mencapai US$6 juta dan dari pergerakan wisatawan nusantara diharapkan sedikitnya ada 102 juta orang dengan perolehan Rp 100 triliun.

Jag,
the two hotels U-C in South Jakarta are the Ritz Carlton and the Hotel Manhattan, both prestigious 5 star developments in Mega Kuningan district.

Jag,
the two hotels U-C in South Jakarta are the Ritz Carlton and the Hotel Manhattan, both prestigious 5 star developments in Mega Kuningan district.

Thanks Alvin,
i hope they will complete both hotels in time when I m in Jakarta again. I usually stayed at The Mulia. but I like to try the Ritz Carlton.

Hey guys, can someone help me out. I haven't been to Jakarta for a loong time, but say if i do visit the city sometime this year, which hotel would you guys suggest? (cheap and good). Also, which places of interest would you think a tourist should visit? Thanks!

Hey guys, can someone help me out. I haven't been to Jakarta for a loong time, but say if i do visit the city sometime this year, which hotel would you guys suggest? (cheap and good). Also, which places of interest would you think a tourist should visit? Thanks!

Why not trying Hotel Atlet Century Park Senayan, seems not too costly but pretty much in the center of JKT. I never stayed there so don't know the quality.
Places to visit? Sunda Kelapa is nice, I like also Kota. I'm not a tourist though since I was born and raised there. I would visit Puncak and Cipanas as well.

Cheap...well depends where you prefer to stay. But i agree, century park is worth trying.. they got nice room and good view to the jakarta skylines from your room.

cheers

THanks guys, I'll keep the name in mind. Since tata mentioned the full name as "Hotel Atlet Century Park Senayan", i presume it's somewhere near Senayan, right? :) Is it near a busway stop then? Thanks again guys.

I dont know if its near busway, but the thing is....the hotel is exactly behind Plaza senayan and beside the hotel is senayan sports complex and the currently underconstruction apartment and mall, the pinnacle.

cheers

THanks guys, I'll keep the name in mind. Since tata mentioned the full name as "Hotel Atlet Century Park Senayan", i presume it's somewhere near Senayan, right? :) Is it near a busway stop then? Thanks again guys.

it's right in front of Baseball stadium. you need to walk around 100 meters to reach the nearest busway stop (either Ratu Plaza or Polda)

Any news if Fiscal Tax will scrapped out this year?

Any news if Fiscal Tax will be eventually scrapped out this year?

The last time i heard, it'll be removed latest by end of this year. :)

The last time i heard, it'll be removed latest by end of this year. :)

but it seems very quite now, does DPR work on it?

Well..they better be! :bash:

Haha...i hope so, tata. I think the current practice mostly benefit a handful official, since the money is supposedly deductible from your taxes but no one does that. (so we don't know where does it go to).

I heard its going to be reduced, from 1 million to 500 thousand but they are working on it.

cheers

While i can't get confirmation on this one, I think there are plans to abolish the fiskal by March 2005. :cheers:
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21 Februari 2005, 12:40:35, Laporan Noer Soetantini

Fiskal Dihapus, Master Plan Wisata Belum Siap

ssnet| Pemerintah bakal menghapus fiskal berkunjung keluar negeri awal Maret 2005 ini. Hanya saja, rencana ini tidak diiringi kesiapan pemerintah daerah dan insan pariwisata merealisasikan master plan pariwisata.

YUSAK ANSHORI Ketua PHRI (Perhimpunan Hotel dan Restoran Indonesia) Surabaya pada suarasurabaya.net, Senin (21/02), mengatakan, penghapusan fiskal akan berdampat positif terhadap negara-negara Asean. Pasalnya, selama ini hanya Indonesia saja yang memberlakukan fiskal berkunjung keluar negeri.

Kalau fiskal dihapus, menurut YUSAK, negara-negara Asean akan lebih mendorong masyarakatnya melakukan kunjungan ke Indonesia. Dampak penghapusan ini terkait dengan dunia bisnis, sosial dan komunikasi.

“Umumnya, untuk bisnis pariwisata negara-negara Asean melihat win-win solution. Kalau Indonesia menghapus fiskal, makin banyak orang bepergian keluar negeri. Ini bagi negara-negara Asean, nilai positif untuk Indonesia,”ujarnya.

Di sisi lain, penghapusan fiskal merupakan tantangan bagi insan pariwisata dan birokrat. Kalau tidak ingin turis domestik beralih keluar negeri, kata YUSAK, mau tidak mau insan pariwisata dan birokrat dituntut kreativitas dan inovasi mengemas paket wisata domestik.

Kata YUSAK, tidak beralasan bagi insan pariwisata kalau penghapusan fiskal merugikan mereka. “Sampai saat ini, koordinasi antara insan pariwisata dan pemerintah daerah belum bagus. Bahkan master plan pariwisata hanya sekadar pembicaraan saja dan belum direalisasikan. Padahal master plan ini cukup penting untuk menyikapi penghapusan fiskal,”ujar YUSAK yang juga GM Surabaya Plaza Hotel.

Master plan, ungkap YUSAK, mengakomodir segala potensi wisata yang sebenarnya cukup banyak di pasar domestik. Di Surabaya saja, ada obyek wisata religi, belanja, sejarah dan sebagainya. Sayangnya belum dikemas secara baik sehingga bisa mendatangkan wisatawan domestik lebih banyak lagi.

YUSAK menilai, sudah saatnya Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Malang dan Probolinggo yang memiliki potensi wisata bekerjasama merealisasikan master plan pariwisata. Kalau ini bisa direalisasikan, masing-masing daerah akan mendapatkan kontribusi multi player effect.

Dari hasil kajian, kata YUSAK, Surabaya menjadi destination ketiga setelah Bali dan Yogyakarta. Ini peluang yang harus ditangkap insan pariwisata dan birokrat. Selama ini, realisasi master plan pariwisata terkendala dari birokrat. Ganti pimpinan, ganti pula kebijakan.

Sebagaimana diketahui, fiskal keluar negeri melalui udara Rp 1 juta, laut Rp 500 ribu dan darat Rp 250 ribu. Kalau fiskal dihapuskan, YUSAK optimis, pasti orang Indonesia semakin sering keluar negeri. Apalagi, didukung makin murahnya tarif pesawat antar negara Asean.

One thing still unclear for me is if it's scrapped for all travel abroad or only to ASEAN destination?

Most likely for ASEAN only. Since the agreement of scrapping fiscal is only for ASEAN countries.

cheers

Indonesia to reopen Australia tourist office

Strong growth in business and holiday travel to Indonesia will see the republic reopen its tourist office in Sydney this year as Garuda Indonesia expands its Australian flight capacity by around 20 per cent.

The deputy minister of marketing for the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Udin Saifuddin, said Indonesia attracted a total of 420,000 business and private visitors from Australia in 2004.

Overall visitor arrivals exceeded five million last year and tourism became the second largest earner after energy (oil and gas).

He said Indonesia was aiming for 500,000 visitors from Australia in 2005 and would reopen its Australian tourist office in the second half of the year as part of an expansion which would also see new offices in Japan and China.

The new Sydney office, initially to be an outsourced operation, would help Indonesia capitalise on booming interest in Bali while helping to grow interest in other Indonesian destinations, Garuda regional manager Australia, New Zealand and the US Iriansyah Antemas said .

“Demand is being driven by the quality and diversity of business and holiday product available in Indonesia as well as value among the best in the world,” Iriansyah said.

He said Garuda would unveil plans to expand its capacity from Australia to cater for holiday and business travel before June.

The carrier already offers the greatest frequency of flights to Bali from Australia, 24 weekly flights ex Australia and two more ex Auckland and Brisbane, and is the only airline to offer business class from all its ports.

The airline will introduce new aircraft into its existing fleet for Australia, with the Perth route to receive the largest aircraft, the Boeing 737-800, after strong growth.

Iriansyah also said major investment was being made in new convention and infrastructure projects throughout the republic.


28 February 2005

It's high time they open more tourist office and promote Indonesia more aggresively. If we look at our neighbors, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, they spend so much money and effort promoting their tourism, cant we do the same?

The usual argument is that the ministry dont have enough money to come up with good marketing campaigns, but if we dont spend money (read:invest), how do we attract more tourists? Some people don't even know where Indonesia is, all they know is perhaps Bali. :bash:

if we fish shark, don't use small worm. use big tuna for its bait ;)

That would be an appropriate analogy! :cheers:

Does anybody know if the direct flight to Chile have started yet? That is one country I would love to visit.

RI targets Chinese tourists
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian government is casting an appreciative eye toward the increasing number of Chinese traveling overseas for vacation, and hopes to lure some 240,000 Chinese tourists to Indonesia's shores in 2005.

"We plan to quadruple the number of Chinese tourists visiting Indonesia," State Minister for Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik said on Tuesday.

Jero said the number of outbound tourists from China, the world's most populous country, reached about 20 million last year, but Indonesia was only able to attract some 80,000 of these tourists.

To improve on this figure, Jero said the government had recently opened immigration offices in its consulates in Shanghai and Ghuangzhou, in addition to the immigration office in the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing.

The government also hopes to cooperate with Singapore, which last year received 700,000 Chinese tourists, to bring in more Chinese tourists to the region.

"We hope that when Chinese tourists are done sight-seeing and shopping in Singapore, they will be interested in continuing on to Indonesia, which has hundreds of tourist attractions for them to visit," Jero said.

Concerning plans to attract more tourists from the Middle East and India, Jero said the government was considering revising its visa-on-arrival (VOA) policy, by increasing the visas from three days to seven days and from 30 days to 60 days. The fees for the visas may also be reduced from US$35 to $25.

"We have proposed 16 more countries be given the VOA facility, from the current 21 countries," he said.

The government hopes to attract six million foreign tourists this year, who are expected to bring in $6 billion in foreign exchange revenue.

Last year, Indonesia attracted some 5.3 million foreign tourists who brought in some $5.3 billion in foreign exchange revenue.

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Tuesday that foreign tourist arrivals dropped slightly to 348,600 in January 2005 from 416,500 in December 2004.

Commenting on the BPS report, Jero said it was normal to see a drop in tourist arrivals after the December high season.

This is why I dont want jero wacik to be a tourism minister. He just....an oxymoron.

Indonesian Govt Rejects Call to Remove Departure Tax

JAKARTA, March 3 Asia Pulse - The government will not abolish departure tax despite a regional agreement to abolish all travel restrictions, Tourism and Culture Minister Jero Wacik said.
ASEAN leaders have agreed to remove all restrictions on travel abroad not later than this year.

Tourism related business associations have urged the government to abolish departure tax saying foreign airlines will be discouraged to carry tourists to the country as they did not want to return empty.

Wacik, however, said there are more losses than gains in abolishing departure tax.

The government's decision will likely draw protest from other Asean member countries, but we will find the answer, he said.

He said many Indonesians choose to go abroad such as Singapore only for shopping and for sightseeing .

This is why I dont want jero wacik to be a tourism minister. He just....an oxymoron.

Indonesian Govt Rejects Call to Remove Departure Tax

JAKARTA, March 3 Asia Pulse - The government will not abolish departure tax despite a regional agreement to abolish all travel restrictions, Tourism and Culture Minister Jero Wacik said.
ASEAN leaders have agreed to remove all restrictions on travel abroad not later than this year.

Tourism related business associations have urged the government to abolish departure tax saying foreign airlines will be discouraged to carry tourists to the country as they did not want to return empty.

Wacik, however, said there are more losses than gains in abolishing departure tax.

The government's decision will likely draw protest from other Asean member countries, but we will find the answer, he said.

He said many Indonesians choose to go abroad such as Singapore only for shopping and for sightseeing .

More losses than gain? come on... it's been more losses to us, the ordinary people, by paying fiscal tax all the way long. BTW, mathematically, Fiscal Tax will give 0 rupiah to government since we HAVE the right to re-claim it when declaring income tax. But yes, a lot of us don't do it.

Funny statement he made.... Indonesian are going abroad for shopping and sightseeing..... LOL! I never see any tourist from any country do other than sightseeing and shopping.... Go to Paris.... million of tourists are doing that. What is wrong with that? That's what's called TOURISM anyway! Go to Swiss, tourists are coming for, errrr, sightseeing.....

N'importe quoi!

Hes way of thinking that more Indonesians wont visit domestic tourism spot is just an excuse...the local spot has been steady for couple years now, therefore no reason for saying that. Whether fiskal is there or not, the domestic tourism will always be steady.

i mean, if fiskal is no more, means the local aviation industry will grow higher and gets better market especially for the ASEAN region market. That surely will create more jobs and a lifeline to airlines company that will go busted.

cheers

:bash: :bash: :bash:
The only loss I see is the revenue that a corrupt imigration official might be getting.

i mean, if fiskal is no more, means the local aviation industry will grow higher and gets better market especially for the ASEAN region market. That surely will create more jobs and a lifeline to airlines company that will go busted.

cheers

to expect them to think this way is like...... kerbau merindukan bulan (a cow dreams flying to the month) :)

:bash: :bash: :bash:
The only loss I see is the revenue that a corrupt imigration official might be getting.


Couldn't agree with this more. The govt should be ashamed of themselves for claiming "more losses than gain".

Tourism Minister Asks Habibie To Help Restore Indonesia's Tourism Sector

Jakarta ( Berita ) : Minister of Tourism and Culture Jero Wacik believed that former president B.J. Habibie as an Indonesia key figure in the European community could restore the country's tourism image.

In a press release obtained by Antara here on Monday, Tantie Konstantia, head of the ministry's public relations division, said Minister Wacik paid a special visit to Habibie at his residence here.

Habibie suggested the government to facilitate the obtainment of visas for foreign tourists, Germans, in particular.

Apart form this, he also asked the government to continue to restore Indonesia's tourism image, without touching the past which would only have an counter-productive effect.

As part of the ministry's efforts to restore Indonesian tourism, the minister planned to participate in the International Tourism Exchange in Berlin, Germany, March 11-15, 2005.

West European countries, Germany in particular, are potential markets for Indonesian tourism.

Indonesia's participation in the forum will undoubtedly open market opportunities also for promotion in efforts to restore and promote the country's tourst image, it said. (ant)

Habibie??? I doubt he'll do anything. He's not even an Indonesian anymore. Among all our previous president, he was the biggest let-down. :bash:

Anyway, my friend just forwarded me this link, for those who wish to sign petition to stop the Fiskal practice. Don't know whether anyone in the government will get to read this, but at least someone tried to come up with something. :)

http://www.petitiononline.com/indo2005/petition.html

Anyway, my friend just forwarded me this link, for those who wish to sign petition to stop the Fiskal practice. Don't know whether anyone in the government will get to read this, but at least someone tried to come up with something. :)

http://www.petitiononline.com/indo2005/petition.html

I signed. so far there are 1913 Total Signatures

Hey guys, can someone help me out. I haven't been to Jakarta for a loong time, but say if i do visit the city sometime this year, which hotel would you guys suggest? (cheap and good). Also, which places of interest would you think a tourist should visit? Thanks!

check this for last minute accomodation in Jakarta:
http://www.wotif.com/Search.jsp?region=1136&refId=10850

Those prices are a bit steep. It's not hard to find a good 3-star hotel in Jakarta for $28 a night.

Government to Appoint 3 Overseas PR Firms.
Companies in Australia, Japan and PRC to Spearhead Tourism Drive in Those Markets.

(3/21/2005) The Department of Culture and Tourism will shortly present tenders for the appointment of 3 public relations firms in the Australian, Japanese and Chinese markets to stimulate tourism visits as part of the goal to net 12 million foreign visitors to Indonesia by 2009.

The appointment of 3 companies to act as Indonesian Tourism Promotion Offices is intended to provide an economical and effective means to penetrate selected overseas markets. Udin Saifuddin, the Deputy Chief of Marketing for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said his office is establishing a team to help select the PR companies for the job, with the final decision in the hands of Minister.

The PR companies selected will determine the physical placement of the Tourism Promotion Office in their locale as well as assign the individuals to work from those offices. Included among the areas of responsibility assigned to each overseas office will be the placement of advertisements in local media, the preparation of educational tours and other promotional activities, the distribution of information to their respective markets, and relations with local media and tour operators.

According to Saifuddin, the targeted opening date for the 3 overseas offices is August 2005 with each office being granted a one year operating contract worth an estimated Rp. 2-3 billion (approximately US$217,000 - US$326,000).

At present, Indonesia has no operating overseas tourism promotion offices. Prior to their closings, Indonesia maintained tourism representational offices in London, Frankfurt, Sydney, Singapore, Tokyo, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.

That's a right move. I'm glad the govt is taking step to promote tourism. and the 3 countries chosen are wise choice. This is where a lot of tourists come from.

Btw, I'm surprised that there's no representative office in Singapore. Hehe...I might be interested to start one. :P

it is sad how so many tourist offices got closed down post crisis, but I am glad they are taking steps again to return to our tourism heydays.
I can't help but think 12 million foreign tourists by 2009 is rather too ambitious. I think a realistic target would be 8 million/year from the existing 5. that'd be 60% more tourists already!

I signed. so far there are 1913 Total Signatures

today: already 4690 Total Signatures

Guys, look there's a news about Kelok Sembilan toll road. Said it is underconstruction. Anyone has more news or pictures?


Rabu, 23/03/2005 16:34 WIB
Sumbar gelar Program Visit Minangkabau Year 2005-2010
oleh : Tularji

PADANG (Bisnis): Pemprov Sumbar mengagendakan launcing program Visit Minangkabau Year 2005-2010 pada Mei mendatang bersamaan dengan peresmian pemakaian Bandara Internasional Minangkabau.

Kepala Dinas Pariwisata Seni dan Budaya (Persenibud) Provinsi Sumbar, Yulrizal Baharin mengatakan pihaknya telah mengangendakan acara louncing program Visit Minangkabau Year itu sejalan dengan peresmian pemakaian Bandara tersebut.

"Ketika Bandara Minangkabau diresmikan pada Mei mendatang, maka launcing program Visit Minangkabau Year 2005-2010 juga kami laksanakan sehingga waktunya bersamaan," katanya kepada Bisnis kemarin.

Yulrizal menjelaskan Pemprov Sumbar mencanangkan tahun ini sebagai tahun kebangkitan bagi sektor pariwisata Sumbar menyusul beroperasinya bandara MIA tersebut. Pencanangan itu ditandai dengan digelarnya program Visit Minangkabau Year tersebut.

Menurut dia, Bandara MIA akan menjadi pintu gerbang utama masuknya wisatawan dalam negeri maupun asing ke Sumbar. Sementara jalur darat terutama jalur yang menghubungkan Sumatra Barat dan kawasan timur Sumatra terus dibenahi.

Saat ini, lanjut dia, Pemprov Sumbar sedang membangun jalan layang Kelok Sembilan. Jika jalan layang yang menelan biaya Rp300 miliar itu selesai, akan memperpendek jarak tempuh Sumbar-Riau.

Garuda to resume flights to EUrope

RI firms attracting more European tourists
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian companies have won contracts for the visit of over 35,000 tourists from European countries, creating optimism that the country will attract more than one million visitors from Europe, said an official on Monday.

"We expect that between one million and 1.5 million tourists from European countries will visit Indonesia this year," head of promotion affairs for West and East European countries at the Office of State Minister of Culture and Tourism Rita Sofia told The Jakarta Post.

She said about 800,000 tourists from European countries visited Indonesia last year. Five countries -- the Netherlands, Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain -- were the largest contributors to the number of European visitors.

She explained that the contracts were signed by Indonesian companies and their counterparts in the world's biggest tourism event, Internationale Tourismo Borse (ITB) in Berlin, held from March 11 to March 15.

Representatives of 70 hotels, 30 tour operators, three tourism associations and six provincial tourism offices in the country took part in the event.

According to Sofia, State Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik had told the participants of the event that Indonesia would change some things to make Indonesia more attractive for foreign tourists.

One of those changes would be that flag carrier Garuda Indonesia would resume flights from Indonesia to Europe in the middle of the year, the minister was quoted by Sofia as saying.

Garuda Indonesia stopped regular service to many European destinations last year.

Wacik also told the participants that Indonesia would increase the number of countries eligible for a visa-on-arrival.

Currently, tourists who are nationals from the United States, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, Finland, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Norway, France and Taiwan are eligible for the visa-on-arrival.

But the government announced earlier this month that it would be expanded to include 16 more countries -- including Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, China, India, Kuwait and Egypt -- to get the visa-on-arrival.

Sofia said in January that nine Indonesian companies consisting of three hotels and six travel agents also signed contracts with foreign counterparts at the Feria International Turismo (FITUR) exhibition in Madrid. (004)

WTO To Review Indonesian Travel Advisories
Indonesia Wants Urgent Review of How Travel Advisories are Made and Implemented at WTO Senegal Summit.

(4/2/2005) The May session of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) scheduled to be held in Senegal in May 2005 will reportedly accede to Indonesia’s request to have the travel advisory system tabled for discussion at that international gathering.

According to Thamrin B. Bachri, Deputy Director of Capacity Building and International Cooperation from the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the General Assembly of the WTO will review the travel advisories limiting tourist flows to Indonesia from the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

"One of our Aim that we will put forth (at WTO) is that before introducing travel advisories countries should first consult with the country to be affected by such warnings," Bachri said in comments to the Indonesian-language Bisnis Indonesia.

Bachri told the press that after the Senegal meeting he hopes current travel warning in effet might be modified and a system established where bi-lateral mutual consultation is undertaken before future warnings and advisories are introduced.

Need for a Public Relations Approach

Meanwhile, Elly Hutabarat, the Vice-Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agents (ASITA) called for the appointment of a public relations agency to help spread the word regarding the generally conducive security situation in Indonesia to source markets for Indonesian tourism.

According to Hutabarat, a competent domestic or international public relations company could do much to correct and improve misconceptions regarding Indonesia in the marketplace.

Bad news for all of us. Just read an article on suarasurabaya.net, where the tourism minister was saying that the free-fiscal policy will only be implemented in 10 years time! :bash: :bash: WTH!

http://www.suarasurabaya.net/v05/ekonomibisnis/?id=30f115d854aa3142cfc6569783ee14a021734

I was quite angry after reading this article. What a stupid and outrageous argument to make. He's saying that the tourism industry is losing "devisa" because people are travelling overseas. Hey, nobody have the right to tell anyone where to travel! Besides, we all know where all the "devisa" goes to.

What is this thing about the Minister of Culture and Tourism's comment about him not agreeing to waive the fiscal tax for traveling overseas?

According to him, this is to prevent Indonesian to travel overseas and that Indonesian should prioritize traveling to the other 32 provinces in the domestic destinations first.....Now, I would like to give him a few good words:

1. THAT's STUPID
2. Why should we travel to the other provinces if there are no comfortable and convenience infrastructures to support our traveling? I know Indonesia is a beautiful country to visit - but have you seen how all the tourist destinations are run and maintained? Only Bali is well maintained. For god sake, we even fail to maintain our airport - shameful really compared to our neighbours
3. This is one more way to add burden to Garuda's International routes
4. Major airports in Indonesia will be forever missed by more International airlines due to lack of passangers - and that will also mean less foreign travellers can travel to the country
5. Possibility of other countries discouraging their nationalities to travel to Indonesia
6. THIS makes me mad as well
7. THIS shows that there is never a spirit of fair and open competitiveness in our ministers. Look at Singapore and how it faces competition by inviting competitors in and then beating them by improving itself. For God Sake, there is nothing in Singapore excpet for Bintan (prime example of how Singapore can turn a competitive challenges to its advantage) and yet it takes in more tourists than Indonesia does. If we are forever in a protective mode, we will be forever spoilt and never can improve ourselves.
8. THIS IS REALLY STUPID -BY THE WAY, anyone knows if this minister of ours has been to the entire 32 provinces in Indonesia to scourge for potential to develop them into a comfortable and safe tourist destinations for us and for all the potential foreign tourists into the country.

ok since here is talk about tourism INDONESIA,
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU ALL , do you notice that tourism MALAYSIA write something like this on their website:
MT KINNABALU THE TALLEST POINT OF SOUTH EAST ASIA
but,THINK AGAIN!!

IRIAN JAYA ,INDONESIA (SOUTH-EAST ASIA COUNTIRES) HAS PUNCAK JAYA measures 5000m+ while mt kinabalu measures 4000m+ so it should be the PUNCAK JAYA has the tallest point in SOUTH-EAST ASIA

do you think we shoulD write a complaint letter to tourism malaysia???

POST UR OPINION HERE!!

Maybe what they mean was The tallest point of South East Asia in Northern hemisphire hahaha ;) Puncak Jaya is the highest of course, even have snow at the top. But Kinnabalu is more famous.

What is this thing about the Minister of Culture and Tourism's comment about him not agreeing to waive the fiscal tax for traveling overseas?

According to him, this is to prevent Indonesian to travel overseas and that Indonesian should prioritize traveling to the other 32 provinces in the domestic destinations first.....Now, I would like to give him a few good words:

1. THAT's STUPID
2. Why should we travel to the other provinces if there are no comfortable and convenience infrastructures to support our traveling? I know Indonesia is a beautiful country to visit - but have you seen how all the tourist destinations are run and maintained? Only Bali is well maintained. For god sake, we even fail to maintain our airport - shameful really compared to our neighbours
3. This is one more way to add burden to Garuda's International routes
4. Major airports in Indonesia will be forever missed by more International airlines due to lack of passangers - and that will also mean less foreign travellers can travel to the country5. Possibility of other countries discouraging their nationalities to travel to Indonesia
6. THIS makes me mad as well
7. THIS shows that there is never a spirit of fair and open competitiveness in our ministers. Look at Singapore and how it faces competition by inviting competitors in and then beating them by improving itself. For God Sake, there is nothing in Singapore excpet for Bintan (prime example of how Singapore can turn a competitive challenges to its advantage) and yet it takes in more tourists than Indonesia does. If we are forever in a protective mode, we will be forever spoilt and never can improve ourselves.
8. THIS IS REALLY STUPID -BY THE WAY, anyone knows if this minister of ours has been to the entire 32 provinces in Indonesia to scourge for potential to develop them into a comfortable and safe tourist destinations for us and for all the potential foreign tourists into the country.

Thanks Medan, I agreee with your points, especially the highlighted ones.

On Malaysia and Singapore, they are good marketers. They adopt other's cultures in their advertising campaigns, which in turn making them seem more attractive to visitors. I really do hope they can change their mindset.

Maybe what they mean was The tallest point of South East Asia in Northern hemisphire hahaha ;) Puncak Jaya is the highest of course, even have snow at the top. But Kinnabalu is more famous.


no no they said tallest point without any word containing in Northern Hemisphire

hehe, i know, i was trying to help them abit ;)

Tuesday April 19, 11:32 AM
Report: Indonesia's tourism chief asks China to give more visas to Chinese tourists
Indonesia's tourism chief wants China to allow more people from four Chinese cities to visit his country, a newspaper said Tuesday.

Jero Wacik said Monday at a travel conference in Macau that his country wanted more visitors from Beijing, Shanghai and the southern cities of Guangzhou and Kunming, the South China Morning Post said.

"Many Chinese want to visit, but they still have visa difficulties," he was quoted as saying. "We have to fix all that."

China's Communist government imposes restrictions on foreign travel.

Wacik said that 80,000 Chinese nationals visited Indonesia in 2004, the paper reported.

Indonesia wants its number of tourist visits to increase from 5.3 million last year to 6 million this year, the paper said. The country is targeting China, India and the Middle East as major tourism markets, the report said.

Lebih Asyik di Jakarta

PROMOSI gencar yang dilakukan Pemprov DKI Jakarta untuk mendongkrak sektor pariwisata Jakarta memang sering kali dilakukan. Sayangnya, hasil yang diharapkan tampaknya tak terlalu sukses. Entah karena promosi itu dilakukan setengah hati, atau memang kurangnya minat wisatawan sendiri untuk melancong ke Jakarta.

Padahal, meski macet, banjir, panas, polusi, dan rawan tindak kriminalitas, Jakarta adalah kota yang menyenangkan. Yah, setidaknya bagi sebagian besar penduduknya. Rita (26), misalnya. Wartawati sebuah majalah gaya hidup ini sudah kerap melancong ke berbagai negara dunia. Bahkan, ia menghabiskan masa SMU-nya di Singapura.

Namun bagi Rita, Jakarta tetap sebagai surga dunia. Bukan karena orangtua dan teman-temannya tinggal di sini, namun ia merasakan Jakarta sebagai kota yang paling ramah dan fleksibel dibanding kota-kota lain yang pernah ia kunjungi.

"Di Singapura, apa-apa dilarang dan saya merasa kota itu terlalu tegang. Sulit untuk beramah-tamah dengan orang asing di sana karena etos kerja mereka yang tinggi. Kalau di Jakarta, saya bisa langsung asyik dengan seorang kenalan baru yang kemudian memperkenalkan saya ke beberapa teman baru lainnya," tuturnya.

Karena itu, Rita selalu berusaha mematahkan stigma negatif rekan-rekannya di luar negeri mengenai Jakarta. Jika ada seorang teman datang dari luar negeri, Rita akan mengajaknya ke tempat-tempat nongkrong yang asyik, yang lekat dengan kesan ramah dan terbuka.

"Menurut saya, promosi semacam ini justru lebih efektif lho, karena orang-orang asing itu bisa membuktikan sendiri, bahwa Jakarta enggak seperti yang dibayangkan kebanyakan orang," lanjutnya.

Untuk program Enjoy Jakarta ini, Rita menyambut baik niat Pemprov DKI untuk mempromosikan pariwisata Jakarta. Namun, ia berpesan agar pemerintah lebih menyiapkan segala sesuatunya dengan matang. Sehingga, wisatawan yang datang pun tidak kecewa karena banyaknya kekurangan dalam wisata yang digembar-gemborkan fantastis.

Hal senada juga diucapkan Pratiwi (27), seorang manajer perusahaan multinasional. Meski sering melancong ke luar negeri sehubungan dengan pekerjaannya, Pratiwi mengaku, tetap rindu pada Jakarta dan segala kekurangannya. Karena itu, ia selalu terheran-heran dengan rekan-rekannya yang dengan bangga pergi ke luar negeri setahun sekali hanya untuk belanja.

"Padahal di Jakarta ini kan enggak kurang namanya pusat perbelanjaan. Dari merek terkenal sampai grosiran semuanya ada. Memang, mungkin harganya lebih mahal sedikit, tapi dibanding dengan ongkos ke luar negeri, ya lebih baik belanja di Jakarta dong. Apalagi, kita bisa menawar harga tanpa repot-repot buka kamus. Adu ngotot-ngototan-nya itu jadi lebih seru," ucapnya sambil tertawa.

Namun, Pratiwi mengakui, jika sarana wisata di Jakarta memang masih kurang digarap sehingga terkesan membosankan. Jika diberi perhatian lebih, ia yakin sektor pariwisata Jakarta akan mampu bersaing dengan pihak asing. (D-10)

Indonesia told to develop marine tourism

DENPASAR, Bali (Antara): With more than 17,000 islands and 81,000 kilometers of equatorial coastline Indonesia has great potential for developing marine tourism, a former minister says.

Speaking at the Indonesian Archipelageic Paradigm forum in Denpasar on Saturday, former minister of marine affairs and fisheries Sarwono Kusumaatmaja said that Indonesia had many small islands perfect for marine tourism.

Many beautiful and world-rated diving spots were located in Indonesia, including the Raja Empat islands in Papua, Wakatobi in Central Sulawesi and Bunaken in North Sumatra, Sarwono said.

Despite the abundant natural resources, however, Indonesia lagged behind other countries in terms of developing marine tourism, especially in diving and snorkeling, he said.

Sarwono said such spots had to be managed professionally so as to attract foreign tourists. Any increase in tourism would increase foreign exchange incomes not only from diving and snorkeling ventures but also from cruise businesses.

"Our existing marine tourism is still dominated by foreign professionals and only in Bali are such business managed by local people," he said.

"We are already internationally known as an archipelagic country, but we haven't taken advantage of it yet," he said. (**)

Foreign tourist arrivals rose by 12 percent in March: BPS
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The number of foreign tourists arriving through Indonesia's 13 main entry points rose by nearly 12 percent in March from a month earlier, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) said on Monday.

In its latest statistics of the country's tourism sector, the agency reported that 345,964 travellers had visited Indonesia in March, up from the 309,006 visitors recorded the previous month.

But the tourism sector has yet to rejoice, as both figures combined with January's 348,646 visitors, would only make the country's foreign tourist arrivals for the first quarter at 1,003,616 visitors, down 2.96 percent from 1,034,236 in the same period last year.

The tourism office expects to be able to attract six million foreign visitors this year. Last year, about 5.3 million foreign tourists traveled to the archipelago, generating some US$5.3 billion in foreign exchange.

Indonesia's tourist sector has struggled since the Bali bombings in 2002, and the bombings at the J.W. Marriott Hotel and the Australian Embassy in Jakarta in 2003 and 2004 respectively.

Effects of the recent Asian tsunami disaster could prove to be another blow to the country's tourism sector, although tourist associations said that Bali could attract tourists who are diverting their visits from tourist destinations in neighboring countries affected by the disaster.

Elsewhere, BPS also reported that the resort island of Bali continued to be the country's main tourist magnet, recording 121,457 visitors in March, from 105,402 in February.

The capital of Jakarta and investment island Batam also managed to sustain and increase their number of visitors, each recording 96,898 and 83,811 tourists, respectively.

Although visitors to North Sulawesi's Manado still recorded at a little over a thousand, the province could prove to be a rising tourist destination in the future, as it saw a 37.3 percent surge in foreign tourists, from 793 people in February to 1,089 last month.

Indeed, one of the province's main tourism attractions is the popular offshore snorkeling on Bunaken islands.

Meanwhile, the average length of stay of foreign tourists in star-rated hotels in 10 tourist destinations throughout the country declined to 3.26 days in February, as compared to 3.44 days in the same period the previous month.

The hotels' occupation rate, however, declined to an average of 46.48 percent, from 48.22 percent in January.

My Indonesia by Sherina, old ad but like it a lot!!

http://www.balivideoclips.com/indonesia/

INDONESIA PRESS: Tourism Minister To Woo Intl Filmmakers

Wednesday May 11, 2005, 12:20 pm

DJ INDONESIA PRESS: Tourism Minister To Woo Intl Filmmakers



JAKARTA (Dow Jones)--Indonesia's Minister of Tourism Jero Wacik plans to offer incentives to attract international movie studios to make films in the country, the Jakarta Post reports.


Those incentives include allowing filmmakers to shoot movies for free in certain areas on the islands of Java, Bali and Sumatra, the report says, citing Wacik.


The report says Wacik's plan was inspired by Thailand's success in boosting its brand as a tropical tourist destination through News Corp.'s (NWS) Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.'s 2000 movie The Beach, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio.

INDONESIA RECORDS 3.55 PCT FALL IN APRIL TOURIST ARRIVALS
Tuesday June 7, 2005, 11:25 am

JAKARTA, June 2 Asia Pulse - The number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia in April this year fell 3.55 per cent to 333,700 from 344,000 a month earlier, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said.

"Like in preceding years, the decline may be because April is a low season for foreign tourists to visit Indonesia," BPS chief Choiril Maksum said on Wednesday.


Compared to the same period last year, the number of tourist arrivals in April 2005 rose 3.58 per cent, he said.

Cumulatively, the number of tourist arrivals in the January- April 2005 period dropped 1.41 per cent to 1.33 million from 1.36 million in a corresponding period last year, he said.

The decrease in the number of tourist arrivals in April 2005 occurred almost at all main gateways.

The gateways that saw a decline in the number of tourist arrivals were Hasanudin (55.20 per cent), Tabing (50.75 per cent), Tanjung Priok (15.15 percent), and Soekarno-Hatta (19 per cent) airports.

Meanwhile, the gateways that recorded a rise in the number of tourist arrivals were Entikong (159.84 per cent), Sam Ratulangi (24.24 per cent), Adi Sumarmo (22.89 per cent), and Ngurah Rai (0.73 per cent), he said.

China helps Indonesia restore tourism market

www.chinaview.cn 2005-06-12 21:51:00


BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhuanet) -- China's tourism administration and travel agencies are doing their best to help restore Indonesian tourism market, after it was hit by the monstrous tsunami last December.

Half a year has passed, and the Indonesian tourism market stillfelt the aftermath of the Dec. 26 tsunami, which claimed tens of thousands of lives. Local tour guide Franki, who serves at a Jakarta-based travel agency, told Xinhua that the local travel business in June was only half of that of previous year.

Putv Sudiarta, an official with the Bali provincial tourism bureau said from January to April, the number of tourists from Asian countries dropped by 30 percent, compared with the same period last year.

As one of the major tourist sources of Indonesia, China made efforts to help restore Indonesian tourism market by sending tourism officials and heads of the country's influential travel agencies to Indonesia doing field study and asked those agencies to offer Indonesian travel package to Chinese mainland tourists assoon as possible.

Holding a talk with official Chinese tourism delegation, Jero Warjik, Minister of Tourism and Culture of Indonesian government said, "Indonesia is a safe tourism destination."

He said tourism is one of the pillar industries of Indonesia and China is one of the major tourist sources for his country. He sincerely hoped that Chinese tourists could come back as soon as possible.

In 2004, 84,700 Chinese mainland tourists went to Indonesia, up49 percent from the previous year. It is estimated that the figurewill reach 500,000 in two years.

Franki said the distance from Aceh, which was hit by tsunami, to Bali, the most well-known tourism destination of Indonesia, wasnearly 3,000 km, similar as the distance between Kunming and Beijing. Therefore, Bali and Jakarta were very safe places for travelers.

Tian Bing, an architect from Beijing, said he has been to Bali twice, before and after the tsunami. And he found no differences on Bali island.

After field study, some Chinese travel agencies started to organize Chinese mainland tourists to go back Indonesia. The ChinaYouth Tourism Services (CYTS) planned to send at least one tourismgroup to Indonesia a week. And the Shanghai-based Spring International Travel Agency was negotiating with relevant departments on opening charter flights between Chinese mainland and Indonesia to cut the cost for tourists.

Liu Shijun, deputy director of Industry Management Department of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) said CNTA willhonor all the promises made by Premier Wen Jiabao on the issue of helping restore Indonesian tourism market and offer more Indonesiatourism products to Chinese tourists.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on January 6 attended the Special ASEAN Leaders' Meeting on Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami and pledged in his speech that the Chinese government will encourage travel to these countries by Chinese tourists when conditions return to normal. Enditem

Jakarta greets foreign tourist
JAKARTA: In conjunction with Jakarta's 478th anniversary, the City Tourism Agency has revived its "welcome program", greeting both domestic and foreign tourists arriving at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

The "welcome" includes handing out garlands and souvenirs to arriving tourists, tourism agency head Harianto Badjuri said on Wednesday.

"We want to show our appreciation to tourists who choose Jakarta as their holiday destination," he said.

He said that in the last three years, the total number of tourists visiting Jakarta had been on the increase.

Last year, some 1.06 million tourists arrived in the city, up from 980,351 in 2003.

From January to May this year, 364,793 tourists visited the capital and more are expected during the peak season in July and August. -- JP

City to sell Jakarta souvenirs
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

"Better late than never" certainly applies to the Jakarta administration's plan to facilitate the selling of original Jakarta souvenirs from special kiosks to be located in a number of tourist areas across the city.

About 50 different types of souvenir will be sold in the first 10 kiosks, which are expected to open in September, according to the director of the Jakarta Small and Medium Enterprises Agency, Sukri Bey.

"With the special kiosks, tourists will find it much easier to find original Jakarta souvenirs. This is part of our efforts to promote the tourism industry in Jakarta," he told the City Council's economic affairs commission during a hearing on Tuesday.

"Moreover, the kiosks can also serve as outlets where local small and medium enterprises can display their products," he said.

Two kiosks will be located in the National Monument (Monas) Park, two others at the Ancol Dreamland amusement park, one at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, one at Ragunan zoo, one in the Jakarta Historical Museum, one in Kepulauan Seribu regency, one in the Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII), and one in the Mall Pondok Indah II shopping center.

For a Jakarta souvenirs center, the administration would use the 1,100 square meters provided for the use of small and medium enterprises by the Cilandak Town Square shopping center in South Jakarta.

Among the symbols of Jakarta that it is hoped to popularize are Monas, TMII, and traditional Betawi (native Jakartan) puppets, houses, musical instruments and costumes.

These symbols will decorate T-shirts, pins, key holders, clocks, wristwatches, mugs, dolls, and wall decorations, Sukri said.

The city has allocated Rp 1.8 billion (US$187.5 million) for the project.

During the hearing, Sukri also announced what is being called the "one village one product" program, which will be rolled out next year and involves the agency promoting a specific home industry in each area. The first project will involve the promotion of milk production in Pondok Ranggon district, East Jakarta.

Taken from www.jawapos.co.id

Kamis, 30 Juni 2005,
Jatim Andalkan Wisata Tematik


SURABAYA - Dinas Pariwisata (Disparta) Jawa Timur mulai melirik wisata tematik untuk menarik jumlah wisatawan asing masuk Jatim. Kepala Disparta, Harun, mengatakan jenis-jenis pariwisata bertema seperti arung jeram, perkebunan, dan olah raga golf tercatat mampu menarik wisatawan asing masuk Jatim.

"Misalnya golf. Untuk tahun 2004 tercatat 60 ribu wisatawan asing masuk ke Jatim untuk main golf," papar Harun kemarin. Dari 60 persen jumlah tersebut, wisatawan asal Malaysia, Korea, Jepang, China, Brunai Darusalam dan Jepang paling banyak berwisata golf di Jatim.

Sedangkan pada hingga semester satu tahun 2005 ini, kunjungan wisatawan asing naik 21 persen dari periode yang sama tahun lalu. Tahun lalu Jatim kedatangan 212 ribu wisatawan asing. "Kenaikan ini dipicu oleh obyek wisata yang sudah dikenal dan promosi yang gencar," sambungnya. Selain itu kreativitas biro-biro perjalanan wisata untuk menciptakan paket-paket wisata yang beragam dinilai memberikan andil besar bagi peningkatan wisatawan.

Namun Harun tidak bisa memastikan pertumbuhan yang sama juga bakal terjadi pada semester dua. "Sampai saat ini industri pariwisata, termasuk wisatawan asing yang masuk, tergantung pada isu-isu yang berkembang di masyarakat," cetusnya.

Harun berharap sampai akhir tahun tidak ada lagi hal-hal yang mengkhawatirkan seperti bencana alam atau ancaman keamanan yang bisa mempengaruhi wajah pariwisata. "Saya tidak berharap bisa naik banyak (jumlah wisatawan), setidaknya sama seperti tahun lalu sudah baik," katanya. Sedangkan sumbangan devisa pariwisata sendiri untuk Jatim mencapai USD 80 juta.

Sementara itu untuk lebih memicu sektor pariwisata di Jatim, bulan depan Kadin Jatim akan meluncurkan East Java Tourism Board (EJTB). Menurut Erlangga Satriagung, ketua Kadin Jatim, lembaga ini berusaha mencemerlangkan nama Jatim sebagai tujuan wisata. "Selama ini Jatim seperti tempat transit wisatawan asing yang hendak menuju Jogja atau Bali," imbuhnya. Dengan badan ini harapannya sektor wisata Jatim akan lebih optimal.(tia)

Rabu, 29/06/2005 10:23 WIB
BSF dan Festival Ceng Ho akan sedot turis ke Solo
oleh : Rochmad Fitriana

SEMARANG (Bisnis): Bengawan Solo Fair (BSF) ke-8 dan Festival Ceng Ho Semarang akan menjadi event pariwisata Jateng yang mampu meningkatkan jumlah kunjungan wisatawan ke wilayah ini sampai 15% dibanding tahun sebelumnya.

Menurut Kepala Dinas Pariwisata Provinsi Jateng, Agus Suryono, kedua acara tersebut diperkirakan tidak hanya mampu mendatangkan wisatawan nusantara (wisnus) melainkan juga wisatawan mancanegara (wisman).

"Festival Ceng Ho ditargetkan bisa menghadirkan wisman China, sedangkan BSF lebih terfokus pada wisnus, meski wisman juga diharapkan bisa mengunjungi kota Solo," katanya di Semarang, kemarin.

Festival peringatan 600 tahun pelayaran Laksamana Cheng Ho akan diadakan di Semarang pada 1-7 Agustus 2005, sedangkan BSF rencananya berlangsung mulai 23 September-1 Oktober 2005 di Solo.

"Potensi wisatawan dari China sepanjang tahun mencapai 10 juta orang. Sementara berdasarkan data tahun 2004 wisatawan asal negara itu yang berkunjung ke Indonesia sekitar 44.000 orang. Jadi, masih terbuka pasar penjualan paket wisata dengan sasaran wisman China untuk berkunjung ke Jateng," paparnya.

Agus menjelaskan bahwa peringatan 600 tahun pelayanan Laksamana Cheng Ho ini juga digelar di 37 negara dan untuk Indonesia, peringatan dipusatkan di Kota Semarang, Jambi dan di Palembang.

"Festival yang sama di Singapura pada 30 Juni-10 Juli 2005 akan dimanfaatkan penuh oleh Pemprov Jateng dan Deparbud untuk mempromosikan even serupa di Semarang. Apalagi even di negara itu akan dimanfaatkan untuk penjualan secara langsung paket-paket wisata yang ada di Jateng," katanya.

Official website of Indonesia Tourism & Cultural :
http://www.budpar.go.id/news.html

Other useful site:
http://www.indonesia-tourism.com/

http://www.tourismindonesia.com/

East Indonesia tourism website:
http://www.eastindonesia.com/

http://www.eastjava.com/

Official website of Bali
http://www.balitourismauthority.net/

others:
http://www.bali.com/

http://www.bali-paradise.com/

Official website of Jakarta
http://jakarta.go.id/v21/home/default.asp?lg=2

Nice Site I've found
http://www.indonesiatourism.com/

Jember dreams of becoming Indonesia's Rio de Janeiro

ID Nugroho, Correspondent, Jember, East Java

A rush of cold morning air shot into the room the moment Nadia opened the door of her house on Jl. Fatahillah, Jember on Sunday Aug. 7. Several bare-chested young men wearing shorts were in the sitting room, sitting huddled on the shabby sofa, shivering with cold and crossing their arms tightly across their chests to get warm.

Several young girls were also there, the make-up on their faces still unfinished.

"Oh, the journalist is here now. Please come in. Sorry, it's still messy. We have to get ready for a program later this morning," said 25-year-old Nadia.

One of the make-up girls, Nadia is the leader of a Spanish group that will take part in the 4th Jember Fashion Carnival (JFC) to be held in Jember on that Sunday. Nadia and her group of dozens of girls have been seriously preparing themselves to appear like Spanish lasses in the festival since they passed the selection test. The girls went shopping to buy the fabric for their costumes and some other accessories like colorful ropes and tassels made of raffia. The closer they were to D-day, the busier they became in preparing themselves for the big event.

"I have not slept a wink since Saturday night," Nadia told The Jakarta Post while busily painting the body of one of her group members.

JFC is a fashion carnival participated in by some 450 participants. It is unique not only because it sees more participants than an ordinary fashion show but also because unlike the usual fashion shows, the catwalk is the 3.6 kilometer-long main street in downtown Jember. Not surprisingly, about 100,000 people were expected to line the street to watch the carnival.

JFC Vice President Dynan Fariz said that the idea of organizing the JFC came from the desire to make Jember Indonesia's first tourist destination with fashion as its main attraction. "In Brazil, you have the fashion festival in Rio de Janeiro so in Indonesia you will have the Jember Fashion Carnival," said Fariz.

The fashion carnival in Jember, also dubbed the City of Tobacco, is unique in that it features the global fashion styles and trends. This year's carnival was held under the "Anachronic, Energetic, Chic Tonic, Mimetic and Striptic" theme.

"The costumes on show are divided into several groups: Archipelago, Tsunami, Deconstruction, Grand Prix, Egypt, Spain, England and the Caribbean," said Fariz.

Acting Jember regent, Sjahrazad Masdar, said a lot of challenges had to be dealt with to turn Jember into Indonesia's Rio de Janeiro.

"One of the challenges is the fact that Bali is still Indonesia's prime tourist destination. Jember must strive to be better than Bali in luring tourists," he told The Post.

The data compiled by Jember regental tourism office shows that every year this city, which boasts five beaches, three waterfalls and a vast expanse of plantations, sees only about 1,400 foreign tourists and 332,000 domestic visitors.

"I believe that in future more foreign tourists will change their plan of visiting Bali and come to Jember, instead," he said.

JFC, he went on, will hopefully make Jember more popular among foreign tourists. An observation made by The Post confirmed this. Several foreigners were seen among the spectators witnessing this year's JFC.

Dutch freelance photographer Lou Leunissen, for example, said that he specially came to Jember for the JFC. "While in Bali, I met some of those taking part in this year's JFC. I have come here to see them again," he said.

Lou was charmed by the rich nuances of the fashion carnival. Two memory cards of his digital camera were full of pictures of the show.

"I have taken so many pictures I didn't realize the batteries of my digital camera needed recharging. It is really a shame," he said, while standing on the sidewalk witnessing the carnival.

Like Lou, domestic tourists witnessing this fashion carnival were really absorbed by this unique mobile fashion show, especially when the saw the tsunami theme, which dwelled on the killer tidal wave that wrought devastation in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. Several spectators, including some journalists, shed tears when dozens of models were in action. JFC is extraordinary, indeed.

Its really cool how Korea Times has this Indonesia special article (16/8/2005)

---------------------------------------------------------------

[Indonesia Special] Indonesia's 17,000 Islands Offer Great Variety for Tourists


http://photo.hankooki.com/gisaphoto/20050816/ensor200508162135550em-in.jpg

A tourist enjoys the scenery at Bintan Island, one of the best-known tourist destinations in Indonesia. Courtesy of Indonesian Embassy

Consisting of more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is the biggest archipelagic country in the world. With more than 220 million people and not less than 300 ethnic groups speaking more than 350 different languages, this beautiful country offers great diversity.
For travelers, Indonesia is an amazing place for discovery. For biologists, Indonesia is home to a wondrous assortment of animals.

Indonesia is a storehouse of historical marvels, distinct cultures, diverse sights and sounds and natural wonders. For that reason, it is no wonder that Indonesia offers such a variety of tourist sites presenting different cultures and landscapes.

Apart from the above-mentioned assets, Indonesia is rich in cultural events and performances related to festivities throughout the year in every region.

On these occasions, crafts, music, exotic dances and rituals are just a few of the delights to be discovered in this mesmerizing country.

Indonesian tourism is now back to normal after experiencing its ups and down due to tragic terrorist attacks and other social and natural disaster issues that threatened the safety of tourists.

Indonesia is safe to visit as the government has continued to make every effort to ensure visitors’ security. Beginning at the airport, a thorough check is conducted on every person and vehicle. Hotels, shopping areas, office buildings and other public facilities have also tightened security.

The main destinations are still Bali, Lombok Island, Yogyakarta, Bintan Island, North Sumatra and Jakarta.

Last year, the number of foreign tourists reached around 5.3 million, with more than 200,000 visitors from South Korea, including honeymooners. The number of visitors is expected to increase to more than 6 million in 2005.

In this regard, promotions and building new facilities have been made to attract more holidaymakers.

Especially for Bali, this mystic island has been awarded again as the world’s Best Island in 2005 for four consecutive years by Travel and Leisure Magazine.

The two Four Seasons Resorts in Sayan and Jimbaran Bay were ranked first and eighth, respectively, as the best hotel and resort in the world. Amandari and Amankila resorts were among the top 20.

This island is also a heaven for spa lovers since the spas at Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay and Sayan as well at the Ritz Carlton Resort were ranked numbers one, two and six, respectively, as the best spas on the globe.

Bali is home to more than 50 five-star resorts with world-class hospitality.

While maintaining the quality of its existing tourism facilities, Indonesia is now developing and promoting other areas as alternative destinations.

This country not only offers majestic landscapes and food but also eco-tourism, golf and wedding programs. After enjoying these things, many visitors choose to return and encourage family and friends to visit.

Accordingly, several five- and four-star hotels are being built to cater to the increasing demand for accommodation.

To name a few: Singapore’s Raffles Hotel is now under construction in Bali and Bintan Island, while the luxurious Bvlgary Resort is scheduled to open next year in Jimbaran Bay, Bali. This is the second resort property for Bvlgary and its first outside Milan.

btw, I would add that the image looks fake! It looks like video game graphics! heheheh :)

(see my previous posting on the prev page)

Indonesia Business Forum 2005 and Pasar Malam
Den Haag August 31-Sept 4, 2005
Utrecht Sept 7-11, 2005

http://pasarmalam.transatour.net/

Kalo dateng photo2 yah :D

Friday September 30, 11:49 AM


Govt Targets 1.2 MLN Visitors For Jakarta This Yr


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JAKARTA, Sept 30 Asia Pulse - The government has set the target of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia via Jakarta at 1.2 million in 2005, higher than foreign tourist arrivals here in 2004, which reached 1.1 million.

Earnest efforts were required to meet the target of tourist arrivals in Jakarta, as a barometer of the tourism industry in Indonesia, which was still striving to eradicate avian influenza, fight bombing terrors and cope with unrest stimulated by the plan to raise fuel price, Head of the Jakarta Tourism Office Suharyanto said here Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT



As Indonesia`s capital, Jakarta must play a role in attracting foreign tourists and improving foreign investors` confidence in the condition of the country, he said, adding that as the first step, the Jakarta administration was determined to attract domestic and foreign tourists by organizing various events to prove that Indonesia was worth traveling and still conducive to investment.

Steps to invite foreign tourists and investors were currently intensified coinciding with the commemoration of the World Tourism Day this year, amid vigorous efforts to eradicate international terrorism in advanced countries, he said.

Among the events offered to domestic and foreign tourists is a food festival with a theme: "Enjoy Jakarta Dining Festival 2005", which introduced the specific foods of Jakarta combined with Western cuisines. The festival was held at Cilandak Town Square on Thursday.

(ANTARA)

OMg tourist arrived at JKT only 1.2 million :(

How bout KL??
I think quite same

(if wrong plz forgive me :D:D)

Now, more then ever, the Indonesian tourism board must be aggressive in marketing Indonesia. No more flimsy adverts on CNN that only lasted 3 seconds. Full scale, worldwide marketing push is now needed. If need by, hire a high profile advert firm to do it for us. I'm sure hotels and other tourist business people would contribute to the fund for the marketing push.

How bout KL??
I think quite same

(if wrong plz forgive me :D:D)
KL's tourist arrivals are about 4x as high as Jakarta's.

The recent new tourism initiative announced by the government only has a budget of $10-$15 million.

Now, more then ever, the Indonesian tourism board must be aggressive in marketing Indonesia. No more flimsy adverts on CNN that only lasted 3 seconds. Full scale, worldwide marketing push is now needed. If need by, hire a high profile advert firm to do it for us. I'm sure hotels and other tourist business people would contribute to the fund for the marketing push.

But first, need to wipe down all those terrorist cells.
$20 million in advertising means nothing when you have bombs going off at random in tourist areas every couple of years...

ridiculous

But first, need to wipe down all those terrorist cells.
$20 million in advertising means nothing when you have bombs going off at random in tourist areas every couple of years...

Agreed. If we can't potray the image of a stable state, we can dream of having a healthy tourism sector.

Friday October 21, 11:56 AM


Indonesia-Singapore Program To Lure Tourists From China, India


JAKARTA, Oct 21 Asia Pulse - A joint tourism promotion program by Indonesia and Singapore is aimed at luring tourists from China, India and the Middle East for restoring the condition of Bali in the wake of the second Bali bombing attacks on October 1, 2005.

With regard to the programs, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik held a meeting with Singaporean Trade and Industry Minister on October 18-19 to follow up on the results of a bilateral meeting of the two countries held at Tampak Siring in Bali on October 3-4. Siring, Bali. ADVERTISEMENT

The meeting was more focused on how to make use of appreciative position of Bali as the best tourist island in the world and Singapore Airlines as the best airline company the world, he said in a press conference here on Thursday.

"We want to build a synergy of the two things, and while they have access to many world cities, we have tourist objects that may meet the preferences of world tourists," he said.

The tourists from China, India and the Middle East are targets, because these parts of the world are the main market of Indonesian tourism

Under the joint tourism promotion program of the two countries, tourists from these countries will be persuaded to visit Singapore and then proceed to the tourist objects in Indonesia.

"Our hope is that 10 per cent of the tourists from China visiting Singapore will be able to continue their travel to Indonesia," said Yanti Sukamdani Harjoprakoso, Chairperson of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI, who also attended the bilateral meeting.

In the wake of the second Bali bombing attacks, the hotel occupancy rate in Bali declined from 30 to 60 percent, although it could not confirmed that the drop was the cause of the bomb blasts.

"The most important thing to note is that October and November are not a season of tourists, but their number will increase during peak seaon in December," Yanti said.

(ANTARA)

Indonesia Hosts 4 PCT Fewer Foreign Tourists in 1ST 9 Months

JAKARTA, Nov 9 Asia Pulse - The number of foreign tourists to the country dropped to only 3.23 million in the first nine months of this year from 3.41 million in the same period last year.

In September alone the number of foreign visitors totalled 387,300 or a 1.24 per cent decline from the previous month or a 4 per cent fall from the same months last year, a report from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said.

Normally, the number of foreign tourists declined in September after peaking in July.

Meanwhile, the occupancy rate of star rated hotels in ten tourist destination areas in the country averaged only 49.37 per cent in August, with length of stay averaging 2.15 days.

(ANTARA)

Govt to reduce 2006 tourism target
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In a year marked by the tsunami that devastated Aceh, a second attack on Bali and outbreaks of polio and bird flu, the government has decided to revise down its target of seven million foreign tourists for next year.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik said on Wednesday the target was unattainable.

"It is likely that next year's tourist arrivals will be affected by the events of this year. It would be realistic to revise down the target from seven million to six million," he said.

This year's target of six million foreign tourists was similarly revised down to five million.

The latest report from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that foreign arrivals between January and July this year had declined by 4.08 percent to 2.45 million people, compared to the same period of last year.

Last year, 5.3 million foreign tourists traveled to the archipelago, generating some US$5.3 billion in foreign exchange.

Based on the report, the decline was mainly attributable to uncertainty in the country's security condition, which has triggered the issuance of warnings from several rich nations against travel to Indonesia.

Other factors affecting the tourist industry include the bird flu outbreak, which has killed five people in the country.

Jero said to accelerate the recovery of the industry, the ministry would boost spending for international promotion from just $3 million this year to $18 million next year.

"We will use the funds to promote our tourism destinations, primarily in China, India and the Middle East," he said, adding that the government recently provided visas on arrival in August to accommodate tourists from China and India.

With the availability of visas on arrival, the government expects to attract at least 200,000 visitors between August and December this year, particularly to the resort islands of Bali and Lombok.

Indonesia's tourist sector has been in the doldrums since the first Bali bombings in October 2002, which killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists; followed by the bombings at the JW Marriott Hotel and the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, in August 2003 and September 2004, respectively.


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Indonesia Reports 30% on-Month Fall in Foreign Visitors in Oct

JAKARTA, Dec 2 Asia Pulse - The number of foreign visitors to the country dropped 30.85 per cent to 267,800 in October from 387,300 in the previous month.

The number of visitors in the first 10 months of this year totaled 3.5 million, down 7.76 per cent form the same period last year.

Data at the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) showed that the steepest fall of 48.39 per cent was recorded in the number of visitors to the country's tourist island of Bali - to 86,790 in October from 168,170 in September.

BPS blamed the decline to seasonal factors and the recent terror bombing in Bali.

(ANTARA)

Indonesia Reports 30% on-Month Fall in Foreign Visitors in Oct

JAKARTA, Dec 2 Asia Pulse - The number of foreign visitors to the country dropped 30.85 per cent to 267,800 in October from 387,300 in the previous month.

The number of visitors in the first 10 months of this year totaled 3.5 million, down 7.76 per cent form the same period last year.

Data at the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) showed that the steepest fall of 48.39 per cent was recorded in the number of visitors to the country's tourist island of Bali - to 86,790 in October from 168,170 in September.

BPS blamed the decline to seasonal factors and the recent terror bombing in Bali.

(ANTARA)


Indonesia's tourism is not going anywhere with sporadic terrorist attacks and small budget.

Bali tourism devastated by restaurant bombings
Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

The October bombings in Bali have proved to be a severe blow to Indonesia's tourism sector, with the number of foreign visitors dropping by nearly 31 percent to 267,800 during the month, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Thursday.

According to the agency's latest tourism statistics, the number of overseas tourists to the popular resort island alone nearly halved to 86,800 visitors after rising by 2.79 percent to 168,200 in September.

"The bombing tragedy in Bali has seriously affected the number of foreign tourists coming into the country, apart from the fact that October is usually a low season for the tourism sector as well," BPS chief Choiril Maksum said.

Besides Indonesia's main tourist destination of Bali, all other destination cities in the country also saw declines in overseas travellers, including the capital Jakarta and Batam.

Only North Sulawesi's Manado managed to show a 6.67 percent rise in its foreign tourist arrivals, as 1,743 travellers were still willing to visit the province's popular offshore snorkeling attraction at Bunaken island.

The impacts on Indonesia's tourism sector from the avian flu outbreak here have yet to be seen, said to the report.

The total number of foreign tourists entering through the country's 13 main entry points as of October totaled 3,501,077 -- down by 7.76 percent from 3,795,664 during the same period last year.

The government hoped to attract six million foreign visitors this year, taking in US$6 billion in revenues in the process. Last year, 5.3 million foreign tourists traveled to the archipelago, generating some US$5.3 billion in revenues.

Indonesia's tourism sector has been experiencing hard times since the Bali terrorist bombings of 2002, and similar bombings of the JW Marriott Hotel and the Australian Embassy in Jakarta in the following years, all of which have served to scare of potential visitors.

The outbreaks of SARS and avian flu in the region at the same time, as well as the recent Asian tsunami disaster late last year, have only made things worse. And if all that was not enough, three bombs rocked Bali's two main tourist sites -- Jimbaran and Kuta -- in October, bringing back the horrific memories of the 2002 tragedy.

The latest slump in the number of foreign tourists could spell more bad news for the economy, with chief economics minister Aburizal Bakrie previously saying that Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) could drop by between 0.5 percent and 0.6 percent if the October bombings resulted in a 50 percent decrease in tourist arrivals in Bali and other destinations throughout the country up until the end of the year.

Tourism contributes some 6 percent of GDP and employs up to 8 percent of the total workforce, according to BPS data.

In a similar downward trend, the average length of stay of foreign tourists in star-rated hotels in 10 main tourist destinations in the country dropped to 2.03 days in September as compared to 2.15 days the previous month.

It makes me cry to see that there is a tremendous decline of tourists due to those bombings.
Those tourist who used to like to go Bali , has many alternatives. They now go to M sia and Thailand instead.

btw KLM had a direct flight frm Amsterdam to Denpasar via Singapore , 16 yrs ago.

@Alvin

this thread title doesnt include Bali

@Alvin

this thread title doesnt include Bali

Yes, but we've been using this thread for general tourism-related discussion, and it's pretty hard to exclude Bali since most tourism dollars come from that one island...

It's sad to see Indonesia fade away as a major tourist destination. Now, even Taiwan is getting more tourist arrivals.

wtf.. who would go to taiwan over bali? come on now..

It all about promotion my friend

wtf.. who would go to taiwan over bali? come on now..
Not just Bali, all of Indonesia combined.

KL tourism is 4x higher than jakarta coz of the safetiness, SHOPPING areas, pollution, etc. we need to work on those,,

Indonesia's Inbound Tourism Drops 7 PCT in 2005

MANADO, 22 Dec Asia Pulse - Around 5.3 million tourists visited Indonesia in 2005, a drop of seven per cent compared last year, said Tourism Minister Jero Wacik on Wednesday.

Security problems, the tsunami which had struck Aceh and Nias Island and the bird flu concerns had affected the number of tourists visiting the country.

Indonesia aims to attract at least six million foreign tourists to visit the country in 2006 and will step-up tourism promotion overseas, said Wacik.

The minister said conditions were improving as most of hotel rooms on the island were fully booked for Christmas and New Year holidays.

In North Sulawesi Province, known for its natural beauty in particular its marine resorts, hotel room occupancy reached around 60-70 per cent, the minister said.

(ANTARA)

it's good to hear that West Sumatra is launching this program. Tourists won't come if we don't do any promotion.

Sumbar Luncurkan 'Visit Minangkabau Year 2006'

PADANG--MIOL: Gubernur Sumbar Gamawan Fauzi meluncurkan paket wisata "Visit Minangkabau Year 2006" dalam sebuah acara bernuansa seni budaya Ranah Minang di Padang, Minggu malam.

Hadir dalam acara tersebut, Menristek RI, Kusmaryanto Kadirman, bupati dan walikota se-Sumbar beserta kepala Dinas Pariwisata masing-masing, pelaku dunia wisata Sumbar dan 70 travel agen dari Malaysia dan Indonesia.

Menurut Gamawan, perkembangan dunia pariwisata akan memberikan dorongan yang nyata bagi peningkatan ekonomi dan kesejahteraan masyarakat serta daerah.

"Untuk itu pencitraan yang baik terhadap dunia pariwisata Sumbar perlu dilakukan, termasuk dengan penetapan tahun kunjungan wisata (Visit Minangkabau Year 2006)," katanya.

Ia menambahkan, jika citra yang baik telah tercipta, maka setiap "goncangan" yang timbul terhadap sektor ini, seperti teror bom dan gejolak politik akan sejenak bisa dilupakan dan kunjungan wisata bisa kembali kondusif.

"Melalui Visit Minangkabau Year 2006 ini diharapkan Sumbar mampu menciptakan pencitraan yang baik bagi dunia kepariwisataannya," ujarnya.

Sementara itu, Ketua ASITA Sumbar, Asnawi Bahar menjelaskan, sebanyak 17 agen wisata dan stasiun TV3 Malaysia bersama 53 tour operator dari Indonesia akan menjual paket wisata "Visit Minangkabau Year 2006" ini.

Menurut dia, para tour operator Malaysia dan Indonesia tersebut akan meninjau sejumlah objek wisata di Sumbar yang akan dijual dalam paket "Visit Minangkabau Year 2006".

Tour operator dari Indonesia yang ikut dalam kegiatan ini berasal dari Jakarta 13 agen, Bandung (5), Semarang (5), Surabaya (5), Pekanbaru (5) dan Sumbar (20).

Peninjauan dilaksanakan mulai 25-28 Desember 2005 ke objek wisata, Anai Resort and Golf Course di Kandang Ampek Padang Pariaman, Pusat Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan Minangkabau serta Perkampungan Minangkabau di Padang Panjang, Danau Maninjau, Nuansa Resort, objek palayang Matur di Agam.

Selanjutnya, Ngarai Sianok, Lobang Jepang dan Jam Gadang di Bukittinggi, Ngalau Indah, Lembah Harau di 50 Kota dan Istana Pagaruyung, Desa Belimbing di Tanah Datar dan Sitinjau Laut Solok.

Stasiun TV3 Malaysia akan menayangkan seluruh obejek wisata di Sumbar itu di negaranya untuk ikut mempromosikan "Visit Minangkabau Year 2006" dengan harapan tingginya kunjungan wisatawan dari negara tetangga tersebut.

Berkaitan kedatangan agen wisata tersebut, maka dalam waktu yang di Padang digelar "Minangkabau Expo 2005" berupa pameran wisata yang diikuti 19 kabupaten/kota di Sumbar. (ant/OL-1)

Great news from West Sumatra:) Gebrakan baru di era otonomi...

Bangkok, Hong Kong and Jakarta top holiday spots on online portal

SINGAPORE (DPA): Bangkok, Hong Kong and Jakarta are the top three destinations over the Chinese New Year holidays booked for local flights through an online travel portal, Zuji Singapore said on Friday.

While 15.6 per cent of total purchases on Zuji.com.sg for flights over the festive period were to Bangkok, 14.7 per cent were for Hong Kong, and 13.7 per cent to Indonesia's capital.

"Bangkok is a perennial favorite, an affordable holiday destination steeped in culture, shopping and entertainment," Zuji said.

Festive packages to second-place Hong Kong were sold out two weeks before the New Year is ushered in on Jan. 29.

Jakarta offers museums, galleries, lively nightlife and spicy cuisine, Zuji added.

The Malaysian resort island of Penang emerged in fourth place with 11.9 per cent of purchases and Kuala Lumpur fifth with 11.2 per cent.

The next five destinations were, in order, the Indonesian island of Bali, Colombo, Ho Chi Minh City, New Delhi and Perth. (***)

Perth?!?!?! huhhh.. okay.. *confused*

MY JURASSIC PARK MOMENT - INDONESIA - FOCUS ON: TOURISM
Michael Knipe
MATP
828 words
16 February 2006
The Australian
5 - Generic Preprints
12
English
Copyright 2006 News Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The arrival of a cruise ship is still a pleasure for the people who inhabit the lush islands east of Bali.

Michael Knipe reports

THE dragon hunt began at dawn. Our party on Komodo Island, one of the most remote in Indonesia, included Australian and Italian honeymooners, a middle-aged couple from England, a retired American executive, assorted Dutch, German and Belgians and a party of elderly Japanese-all united in pursuit of the world's last prehistoric creature.

We were passengers on a cruise ship plying the waters east of Bali. Here lie the Nusa Tenggara Islands, where Asia ends and Australasia begins.

The main islands, whose tourist trade has developed, comparatively recently, are Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba, Komodo, Flores and Timor. But there are more than 500 tiny islands in the chain, populated by 50 ethnic groups, sprinkled, east to west for 1500 miles and dividing the Indian Ocean from the Pacific.

It was on Sumbawa in 1858 that Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace recognised the radical differences in the flora and fauna of the eastern and western islands of Nusa Tenggara. Elephants and tigers could be found to the west-opossums, cockatoos and megapodes in the east.

Although it neighbours Bali, Lombok is noticeably different. Lush jungle is replaced by arid savannah; the people are Muslims rather than Hindus and eat corn rather than rice.

The main beach resort is Senggigi which overlooks the Lombok Strait on the island's west coast, while in the northwest lies the 12,000ft Mount Rinjani, Indonesia's second highest peak outside Irian Jaya. We bypassed Lombok on the outward journey, sailing 138 nautical miles overnight to Sumbawa, an island four times as big as Bali.

The contrast between the lush vegetation we had left behind and the harsh dry boulder strewn hills of Sumbawa was striking-as was the warmth of the Sumbawese people, for whom the arrival of tourists was clearly still a pleasure.

Docking at Sumbawa's Bada Harbour soon after dawn, we were greeted enthusiastically on the quayside by a gamelan orchestra and choir of girl singers and then driven inland through rice fields and cashew nut plantations to tour a traditional village.

The women in these parts had been caking their faces with rice powder to protect their skins from the sun since long before scientists detected holes in the ozone layer. They were thus made up when they treated us to demonstrations of weaving and rice-pounding.

Then came colourful wedding dances compered with zest by an 80-year-old witch doctor who, we were assured, owed his agility and good humour to the fact that he had six wives.

Next came an exuberant and muddy session of buffalo racing and a visit to the palace of the former Sultan of Sumbawa.

That night we set sail for what was to be the highlight of our voyage: the island of Komodo, home of a giant monitor lizard, Varanus komodoensis, the world's largest reptile and occasionally a man-eater. Komodo and the surrounding islets have been turned into a national park and declared a world heritage site, primarily because of the dragons which live nowhere else on earth and were undiscovered by the international community until 1911. Some are 10ft long and 400lb in weight and their conservation has been a notable success for the Indonesians.

The dragons are great hunters with a rapid turn of speed and are said to be capable of running as fast as dogs. They have huge appetites, eating deer, wild boar, monkeys, fowl, fish and even small horses, which run wild on the island. By dislocating their jaws they can swallow even a small buffalo whole and can consume 80 percent of their own body weight in one sitting.

At dawn we were ferried ashore by dinghy near the village of Loh Liang, watched disdainfully by wild deer on the shore. For an hour we trekked silently through the undergrowth, eyes alert for our prey as a guide led us past palm trees with yellow dead fronds draped about them like layered skirts. Flitting through the branches above us were yellow-crested cockatoos. Wild fowl scuttled through the bushes.

Then came our Jurassic Park moment. The guide veered to the right and led us to a clearing where crouched a six-foot dragon, looking for all the world as though he was stuffed. The beast was posing on a patch of concrete that turned out to be a helicopter landing pad: an ideal sunbathing spot that even a prehistoric dinosaur could appreciate.

A little later we came across an even longer dragon resting under a patch of palm. Suddenly its yellow tongue shot out to devour a passing insect. It was a performance, our hunting party agreed, that had been well worth sailing the South Seas to observe.

[AUS_T-20060216-5-012-169726 ]

our tourism industry is going backwards.......thanks to those bloody terrorists

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

INDONESIA'S VISITOR NUMBERS DOWN 15 PCT IN JANUARY ON-YEAR
217 words
2 March 2006
Asia Pulse
English
(c) 2006 Asia Pulse Pty Limited
JAKARTA, March 2 Asia Pulse - The number of foreigners who visited Indonesia through 13 entry points in January 2006 dropped by 5.45 pct from 312,200 in December 2005 to 295,200.

Head of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), Choiril Maksum, said here Wednesday that the number declined by 15.34 pct if compared with the figure in January 2005.

"However, the number of foreigners visiting Bali in January 2006 rose by 4.88 pct compared with the figure in December last year namely from 81,093 to 85,054," he added.

Of the 13 gates, Hasanuddin airport in Makassar recorded the highest drop by 82.03 pct, followed by Entikong checkpoint in West Kalimantan (29.9 pct).

Meanwhile, Adi Sumarmo airport in Solo, Central Java, and Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar, Bali, recorded an increase by 48.62 pct and 4.88 pct respectively.

BPS also said that the occupancy rate of star-rated hotels in 10 tourist destinations in Dec 2005 rose to 45.31 pct or increased 1.56 points compared with the figure of November 2005 (43.75 pct).

In Bali in particular, the occupancy rate rose from 38.52 pct to 39.88 pct in the same period.
(ANTARA)

This is going to be a very bad year for tourism. January 05 arrivals declined from the year before due to the tsunami, and this year arrivals declined 15% from that low. I said I thought the tourist industry would take a bigger long-term impact from the last Bali bombing than from the first, simply because in the eyes of a foreigner it's too dangerous, and I still believe that. The drug situation (I'm just stating facts--I agree with Indonesia's drug policy), major terrorist attacks every year against foreigners, etc. give no incentive for tourists to come.

Pariwisata Bali ditargetkan pulih awal 2007

JAKARTA: Pemerintah menargetkan pariwisata Bali pulih awal 2007, sehingga mampu kembali mendatangkan 6.000 wisatawan per hari ke Pulau Dewata, ungkap Deputi Menko Perekonomian Bidang Industri dan Perdagangan Edy Putra Irawady.
Menurut dia, Bali sebagai ikon pariwisata Indonesia dan memiliki daya serap wisatawan mancanegara (wisman) sebanyak 28% harus dipulihkan terlebih dahulu dibandingkan daerah lain di indonesia.

"Itu karena gangguan terhadap Bali menjadi gangguan wisata Indonesia dan industri pendukungnya, termasuk UMKM di luar Bali, sehingga pengangguran meningkat. Saat ini, wisatawan di Bali hanya 2.000 orang per hari," ujarnya pada Deputy Meet The Press kemarin.

Edy yang juga Sekretaris Tim Koordinasi Penanggulangan Dampak Tragedi Bom Bali di Bidang Ekonomi menambahkan untuk mencapai perolehan target devisa dari sektor pariwisata US$15 miliar dan 10 juta wisman pada 2009, maka kecenderungan penurunan arus kunjungan langsung wisman ke Bali harus segera ditindaklanjuti.

Kebijakan pemerintah yang ditujukan untuk mengembangkan industri pariwisata tersebut adalah pertama, pembebasan PPN untuk jasa di bidang kesenian dan hiburan bagi yang telah dikenakan pajak tontonan, jasa di bidang perhotelan, makanan dan minuman yang disajikan di hotel, restoran, rumah makan, warung dan sejenisnya.

Kedua, fokus pada pelaksanaan Keppres No.127/2001 yang mencadangkan investasi pariwisata untuk UKM.

Ketiga, Inpres No.16/2005 yang meminta menteri dan gubernur melakukan program dan kebijakan pendukung pengembangan pariwisata.

Keempat, untuk mensinergikan kegiatan promosi di luar negeri yang dilakukan instansi pusat dan daerah, pemerintah mulai melakukan kegiatan pariwisata, perdagangan dan investasi secara terpadu.

Oleh Sylviana Pravita R. K. N.
Bisnis Indonesia

I hope so!

im so glad that my korean friends are goin to bali anytime soon.. that means they hav trust in indonesia ;>

i luv korean ppl
hahah
korean guys are hwatt LOL

what is 'hwatt' Ryo?

what is 'hwatt' Ryo?

derived from "hot"..--> so hot / damn hot... :hahaha:

am i right?

ughh my Korean Friends at school are as Kaku as Stones. Cwek2nya Malu2 ama Cowo2nya Sok Cool Gitu like those manga Cartoons :puke:

^ hahah i agree with the :puke:

-Edit-

Govt to expand 'VOA' facility to boost tourism
Rendi Akhmad Witular, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali

The government is planning to expand the visa-on-arrival (VOA) facility to help reverse the declining number of tourist arrivals in Indonesia, which dropped dramatically in the wake of the Oct. 1 terrorist attacks on the resort island of Bali.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla told players in the tourism sector here Monday that the government would extend the permitted length of stay from the current two weeks to between one and three months.

"A two-week stay is not enough for tourists. We will extend this period in order to attract more visitors to Bali and other tourist destinations around the country," he said.

At present, there are 34 countries that have been granted the VOA facility. The government introduced the new scheme in 2004 after it revoked the visa-free facility for nationals from 48 countries.

After last year's suicide bombings, tourist arrivals plunged to an average of 2,600 per day in January and February, and 2,950 in March, compared to 5,500 in September 2005.

Kalla, a businessman turned politician, told his audience, which included Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, to focus on attracting more tourists from the Middle East following a decline in the number of tourists from traditional markets such as Japan and Australia.

"We should start focusing on tourists from the Arab world. We should start publishing holiday brochures in Arabic as well as teaching more tourist guides the language," he said, adding that China and Taiwan also represented prospective markets.

The government has set a target of 5.5 million foreign tourists and revenues of around US$5.4 billion this year, up from around 5 million tourists last year giving rise to revenue of some $4.9 billion.

Aside from expanding the VOA facility, the government would also provide around Rp 67 billion ($7.28 million) this year for promoting Bali abroad. The government recently announced another $5 million for this purpose.

During the meeting with Kalla, the Bali businesspeople urged the government to help settle disputes between provincial, regency and municipality administrations over the management of tourist sites.

"There are so many overlapping regulations issued by local administrations that discourage investment in the tourism sector in Bali. We would prefer the provincial administration to be given the sole responsibility to manage the industry here," said one businessman.

Kalla said the government would also expand the capacity of Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar to accommodate new generation Airbus and Boeing aircraft, which require longer runways.

I kind of regret learning Korean. They seem, for the most part, a little nutty, and their culture is just disgusting. I don't know why people across Asia are so obsessed with Korean pop culture; to me it seems like a less refined version of Japanese pop culture.

hmm what do u mean by their culture are disgusting? I have to disagree...
I like both japan and the korean culture

Haha, don't take me too seriously. Maybe I should vote for PPP or PKS some day. I'm just not into that cheeky, blatantly materialist/consumerist, and sexual culture.

Indonesia has launched a new Tourism advertising campaign now airing on CNN, BBC and other media. The campaign, My Indonesia: Just a Smile Away, features eleven year old singing sensation Sherina in dramatic musical setting filmed across the archipelago. (www.anakindo.nl)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No1p6XoBWI0&search=indonesia

Indonesia has launched a new Tourism advertising campaign now airing on CNN, BBC and other media. The campaign, My Indonesia: Just a Smile Away, features eleven year old singing sensation Sherina in dramatic musical setting filmed across the archipelago. (www.anakindo.nl)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No1p6XoBWI0&search=indonesia

umm that's actually a really nice campaign but it's an old one - 2001 i think it was. It's way better than the current 'ultimate in diversity' campaign.

I kind of regret learning Korean. They seem, for the most part, a little nutty, and their culture is just disgusting. I don't know why people across Asia are so obsessed with Korean pop culture; to me it seems like a less refined version of Japanese pop culture.

care to elaborate? SOme of my Asian friends here are crazy about Korean dramas...hahaha...including my sister.

FAMOUS KOREAN ACTOR JANG DONG GUN promote his latest movie "TYPHOON" in JAKARTA then he will go to BALI for VACATION :)

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3117/poster5mm.jpg

it's going to be held at BALAI SARBINI, PLAZA semanggi

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/883/kfd8lf.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/XxRyoChanxX/balai1.jpg

the fact that he's going to bali is good news....

care to elaborate? SOme of my Asian friends here are crazy about Korean dramas...hahaha...including my sister.
Nevermind what I said Alvin. :)

http://goasia.about.com/library/weekly/aa120500a.htm

a disgusting piece of 'travel guide' for indonesia. Can someone write a letter to this guy and tell him what the real situation is??

------------------------------------------------------------



Indonesia: Know Before You Go

Vacation in a War Zone?


Have you ever considered a vacation in a war zone? Not many people think the idea is an attractive one. But if you go to Indonesia any time soon, you should realize that you are taking the risk of doing exactly that. And some portions of the country are more risky than others.

Until recently, the tourist destinations in Indonesia have been safe. Indonesian's ethnic, political, and religious unrest has been confined to areas where only the most adventurous of travelers ventured: Irain Jaya; Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra, parts of Borneo, the Maluku Islands. The in January of 2000 religious strife hit a major tourist area: Lombok.

Lombok is a beach resort island about 30 kilometers east of Bali. Unlike Bali (which is mostly Hindu), Lombok is a Muslim area. Muslim rioters there targeted the homes and business of mostly Christian ethnic Chinese in several days of looting. At least 2 people died. Japan, the U.K., New Zealand and Australia issued travel advisories.

On November 1 the U.S. State Department issued a warning urging Americans "to defer nonessential travel to Indonesia and all travel to Aceh, Maluku, Papua and West Timor."

In the words of the State Department, "unrest and violence can erupt with little forewarning anywhere in the country. This has been complicated by a rise in anti-American rhetoric by some national political leaders and extremist groups. In addition, events in the Middle East have sparked tensions between Muslim and Christian communities in parts of Indonesia, increasing the possibility of further violence."

The warning also notes that bombings have taken place in several major urban areas, including the capital of Jakarta.

Travel to Indonesia today is simply a risk that may not be worth taking when you consider the various alternative destinations of the region. The beaches of Malaysia or the Philippines are as inviting as Bali. The cultures of Thailand an Vietnam are as enchanting and mysterious. Travel to Indonesia should be considered carefully as long as the nation's political turmoil continues.

that's an exaggerating article. Sadly some people makes a living by writing shits.

thats Article is Utterly Stupid I hate People Like these.we're Like trying to Promote Indonesia and that Stupid Dick just ruins Everything. Damn Indonesia Really needs a Clean Slate

:devil: :devil: :devil: :down: :down: :down: :down: :down: :down:

WTF? was that about..tsk tsk

Indonesia Feb tourist arrivals down 14.47 pct yr-on-yr, down 10.4 pct from Jan
138 words
4 April 2006
AFX Asia
English
(c) 2006, AFX Asia. All rights reserved.
JAKARTA (XFN-ASIA) - Tourist arrivals in February fell 14.47 pct year-on-year to 264,300, data from the Central Bureau of Statistics showed.

The fall comes as the resort island of Bali continues to suffer from the fallout of a triple suicide bombing there last October which killed 20 bystanders.

Arrival figures were also down 10.40 pct from January, the data showed.

In Bali alone, figures were down 26.56 pct year-on-year and 9.02 pct from a month earlier.

February's figures brought the total number of arrivals entering Indonesia in the first two months of the year to 559,500 or 14.93 pct less than the previous year.

bs/sb/bmm

Hmm, I said I thought the latest bombings would have a more lingering impact than the first attack. They should revise the full year tourist arrival expectations to 3.5-4 million.

Asia - South-east Asia
Indonesia may lease islands to boost tourism
Salim Osman , Indonesia Correspondent

7 April 2006
Straits Times
English
(c) 2006 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
Under the scheme, foreign companies could develop luxuryresorts

JAKARTA - INDONESIA is considering leasing some 5,000 of its more

than 17,000 islands to foreign companies to build luxury hideaways

in hopes of boosting tourism.

With more islands than any other country and colourful cultures,

the sprawling archipelago has historically been a magnet for

travellers.

But religious and ethnic violence, environmental destruction and

terrorist bombings have hurt tourism in recent years.

At least 10,000 islands remain uninhabited, even unnamed, and

Tourism Ministry secretary-general Sapta Nirwandar has suggested

leasing some of them to foreign investors.

He said they offer great natural attractions for marine resorts

with pristine diving and surfing locations.

Such a scheme would indirectly help the government in developing

its far-flung islands, he said.

'We have carried out a comparative study in the Maldives, where it

has successfully developed a 'one island, one resort' scheme,' Mr

Sapta told The Straits Times.

'Foreign investors are allowed to manage the resorts and the

government is able to earn thousands of dollars from the rentals

every month.'

Several islands such as Bunaken in North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat

in Papua have already been developed into popular tourist

attractions, he said.

'Such destinations can attract affluent tourists, such as those

who travel in cruise ships,' he said.

Some five million foreign visitors brought about US$5 billion (S$8

billion) into Indonesia last year, making tourism the country's

biggest money-earner.

Mr Sapta believes his proposal could increase that even further,

but he said there should be clear regulations governing the

leasing of such islands to make the plan attractive to foreign

investors while avoiding disputes with their indigenous peoples.

He said it would avoid the kind of confusion that has arisen over

the status of two islands in eastern Indonesia - Bidadari and

Mangudu - which were managed by two foreign nationals.

Bidadari was leased to Briton Ernest Lewandowsky while Australian

David James Wyllie received a lease for Mangudu, but Indonesia's

media reported that the islands had been sold to the men.

Mr Lewandowsky and his wife were building a resort on Bidadari

when they got into an argument with the local military commander

in East Nusa Tenggara, who claimed that foreigners had taken over

the island at the end of December.

A government investigation later proved that the two investors

were given concessions to manage the islands. The legal owners

remain Indonesians.

But both investors were ticked off for prohibiting locals from

entering the coastal areas.

'That's why we need clear regulations,' said Mr Sapta.

'We need clear spatial planning on small islands and coastal areas

to determine what should and should not be given to foreigners

once they have decided to invest.'

Some analysts estimate an investment of between US$100 million and

US$500 million for one island may be needed to turn it into a

resort.

Mr Sapta could not say how much it would cost an investor to lease

an island in Indonesia 'as this is something new to us'.

Mr Willson Kalip, president director of Knight Frank, said that

most foreign investors would prefer established islands such as

Bali and Lombok and even new sites like Bintan as 'they are not

bold enough to go into exotic destinations'.

salim@sph.com.sg

Aussies shun Indonesia trips
April 9, 2006

AUSTRALIAN tourists are boycotting Indonesia as tensions between the two countries escalate.

Tourist numbers have halved amid terrorism fears and anger at the treatment of Australian drug suspects.

They could fall even further as diplomatic relations between the two countries deteriorate.

There have been reports that at least one large Indonesian hotel has banned Australian guests due to anti-Australian sentiment in the country.

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show 16,500 Australians visited Indonesia in February, down from 32,500 the same time last year.

Despite terrorist attacks which have targeted Australians in Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia remained among the country's top four tourist destinations until last September.

Numbers dropped dramatically following the second Bali bombing in October.

Indonesia no longer ranks among the top 10 destinations for holidaying Australians.

The decline comes as diplomatic relations reach new lows over Australia's decision to grant political asylum to separatist rebels from the Indonesian province of West Papua.

Thailand is the big winner. It saw a 45 per cent increase in Australian tourists between February, 2005 and February, 2006.

More Australians are also visiting Singapore, India, Fiji and the US – Hawaii, in particular.

Flight Centre spokesman Haydn Long said Bali's tourist trade had not recovered as it did after the first bombings in 2002.

"People aren't going there in great numbers," he said.

The latest travel advisory issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs late last month warns of a "high threat" of terrorist attacks in Indonesia.

The Sunday Telegraph

Yogyakarta Is Center of Javanese Art and Culture
843 words
21 April 2006
Korea Times
English
(c) 2006 Korea Times. All rights reserved.
By Yoon Won-sup

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia ㅡ Bali is no doubt the most well-known resort island of Indonesia to Koreans. But if travellers to Bali fail to visit Yogyakarta (Jogyakarta), which is located only one hour from the island by plane, they will make a regretabble mistake.

Jogyakarta, simply dubbed Jogja today, boasts of various kinds of fascinating tourist attractions such as the center of Javanese art and culture.

Borobudur Temple

Among other things, there is the biggest stupa ever created on earth, ``Borobudur Temple.'' It is a magnificent Buddhist monument constructed between 750 and 850 AD when Central Java was still a Buddhist kingdom.

On seeing the huge temple, people begin unconsciously saying, ``wow, it's incredible to just see this big monument.'' The volume of this massive temple is 56,000 cubic meters, consisting of at least 2 million stone blocks.

Also, from an architectural perspective, Borobudur is a perfect Buddhist temple.

Borobudur, viewed from above, takes the form of a giant mandala, symbolically describing the path of the Buddha to nirvana, through the story that the good ultimately defeats the evil.

The three intermingled separate levels of Borobudur represents the Buddhist cosmology, which is divided by the world of desire, from bottom to top, forms and formelessness.

Plus, each wall of the galleires is adorned with impressive reliefs illustrating the life of Buddha and some principles of his teaching.

An Indonesian guide nicknamed Putu said, ``This huge temple is itself a great textbook of Buddhism to show how visiting people can achieve enlightenment, and reading this Buddhist textbook in stone requires a walk of more than two miles.''

Whether Buddhist or not, visitors standing on the top level of Borobudur after reading all the meanigful reliefs will think without fail that life can be endurably managed through good deeds.

From the top of the temple, Buddhist pilgrims will find not only the nirvana-like atmosphere surrounded by 72 stupas but also notice vast farmland that look like a carpet decorated in green.

On the western side just above the flowing clouds the Sumbing volcano soars vigorously.

Borobudur, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, has a total of 10 steps and 1,460 carved stone reliefs in three levels.

Sultanate Palace

Feel like moveing on to other places from Borobudur? Then, visit Sultanate Palace not far from the gigantic temple.

The sultan's palace or the kraton, with its grand, elegant Javanese architecture, lies in the center of Jogja.

Surrounding the kraton is a densely-populated residential neighborhood that occupies land that was formerly the sultan's sole domain. Evidence of its former use remains in the form of old walls and the ruined Water Castle, built in 1758 as a pleasure garden.

The garden had been almost abandoned, and was used for housing by palace employees and descendants. But reconstruction efforts began in 2004, and an effort to renew the neighborhood around the kraton has begun, attracing tourists from home and abroad.

Others

Other recommendable toursit attractions in Jogja are Taman Sari Water Castle, Ngasem Bird Market, and various museums of Sonobudoyo, Ullen Sentaluand Affandi.

Of course, Jogja offers great shopping opportunities, particularly, cheap quality international brand clothes.

If visitors doubt the quality, they will be reassured when they return home to see the very same clothes _ ``made in Indonesia'' _ being sold for much higher prices in many department stores in Seoul.

Glasses at shops often seen on the street near hotels are also very attractive to foreign travellers thanks to the quality and low prices.

Food? Epicures, particuarly of sea food, will be happy with a variety of Indonesian cuisine with fish, lobster, shrimp and so on.

Try to have dinner at a restaurant, which offers shadow plays by leather puppets as it is one of Jogja's traditional performances.

Usually, the theme of the shadow puppet show is about the conflict between good and evil, and the fomer's win over the latter.

Because Jogja is well known for its silver work and a unique style of making batik dyed fabric, folk markets are also one of the most favored places for visitors.

Tips for Jojga Trip

A perfect travel course is a Seoul-Bali-Jogja-Bali-Seoul route since there is no direct flight between Seoul and Jogja.

But what airline? Garuda Indonesia is most recomendable in terms of airfare, flight freqency and rich connection in Indonesian domestic flights.

Since early April, Garuda has resumed the direct Seoul-Bali route three times weekly, which will provide the most convenient journey for travellers who want to visit Jogja together with its domestic flights. Call Garuda by toll free number in Seoul at 080-773-2092 for flight reservation.

And when to visit Jogja? The best time starts from next month.

The rainy season, which lasts November to April, is likley to prevent visitors from enjoying walking around the beautiful tourist sites. During the dry season from May to October, the picturesque sunny sky is almost always out there.

Document KORTIM0020060421e24l0000n

Oh... I loveeee JOGJA!!! Too bad malioboro now is badly polluted and dirty. What a shame.

Yogyakarta Is Center of Javanese Art and Culture
843 words
21 April 2006
Korea Times
English
(c) 2006 Korea Times. All rights reserved.
By Yoon Won-sup

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia ? Bali is no doubt the most well-known resort island of Indonesia to Koreans. But if travellers to Bali fail to visit Yogyakarta (Jogyakarta), which is located only one hour from the island by plane, they will make a regretabble mistake.

Jogyakarta, simply dubbed Jogja today, boasts of various kinds of fascinating tourist attractions such as the center of Javanese art and culture.

Borobudur Temple

Among other things, there is the biggest stupa ever created on earth, ``Borobudur Temple.'' It is a magnificent Buddhist monument constructed between 750 and 850 AD when Central Java was still a Buddhist kingdom.

On seeing the huge temple, people begin unconsciously saying, ``wow, it's incredible to just see this big monument.'' The volume of this massive temple is 56,000 cubic meters, consisting of at least 2 million stone blocks.

Also, from an architectural perspective, Borobudur is a perfect Buddhist temple.

Borobudur, viewed from above, takes the form of a giant mandala, symbolically describing the path of the Buddha to nirvana, through the story that the good ultimately defeats the evil.

The three intermingled separate levels of Borobudur represents the Buddhist cosmology, which is divided by the world of desire, from bottom to top, forms and formelessness.

Plus, each wall of the galleires is adorned with impressive reliefs illustrating the life of Buddha and some principles of his teaching.

An Indonesian guide nicknamed Putu said, ``This huge temple is itself a great textbook of Buddhism to show how visiting people can achieve enlightenment, and reading this Buddhist textbook in stone requires a walk of more than two miles.''

Whether Buddhist or not, visitors standing on the top level of Borobudur after reading all the meanigful reliefs will think without fail that life can be endurably managed through good deeds.

From the top of the temple, Buddhist pilgrims will find not only the nirvana-like atmosphere surrounded by 72 stupas but also notice vast farmland that look like a carpet decorated in green.

On the western side just above the flowing clouds the Sumbing volcano soars vigorously.

Borobudur, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, has a total of 10 steps and 1,460 carved stone reliefs in three levels.

Sultanate Palace

Feel like moveing on to other places from Borobudur? Then, visit Sultanate Palace not far from the gigantic temple.

The sultan's palace or the kraton, with its grand, elegant Javanese architecture, lies in the center of Jogja.

Surrounding the kraton is a densely-populated residential neighborhood that occupies land that was formerly the sultan's sole domain. Evidence of its former use remains in the form of old walls and the ruined Water Castle, built in 1758 as a pleasure garden.

The garden had been almost abandoned, and was used for housing by palace employees and descendants. But reconstruction efforts began in 2004, and an effort to renew the neighborhood around the kraton has begun, attracing tourists from home and abroad.

Others

Other recommendable toursit attractions in Jogja are Taman Sari Water Castle, Ngasem Bird Market, and various museums of Sonobudoyo, Ullen Sentaluand Affandi.

Of course, Jogja offers great shopping opportunities, particularly, cheap quality international brand clothes.

If visitors doubt the quality, they will be reassured when they return home to see the very same clothes _ ``made in Indonesia'' _ being sold for much higher prices in many department stores in Seoul.

Glasses at shops often seen on the street near hotels are also very attractive to foreign travellers thanks to the quality and low prices.

Food? Epicures, particuarly of sea food, will be happy with a variety of Indonesian cuisine with fish, lobster, shrimp and so on.

Try to have dinner at a restaurant, which offers shadow plays by leather puppets as it is one of Jogja's traditional performances.

Usually, the theme of the shadow puppet show is about the conflict between good and evil, and the fomer's win over the latter.

Because Jogja is well known for its silver work and a unique style of making batik dyed fabric, folk markets are also one of the most favored places for visitors.

Tips for Jojga Trip

A perfect travel course is a Seoul-Bali-Jogja-Bali-Seoul route since there is no direct flight between Seoul and Jogja.

But what airline? Garuda Indonesia is most recomendable in terms of airfare, flight freqency and rich connection in Indonesian domestic flights.

Since early April, Garuda has resumed the direct Seoul-Bali route three times weekly, which will provide the most convenient journey for travellers who want to visit Jogja together with its domestic flights. Call Garuda by toll free number in Seoul at 080-773-2092 for flight reservation.

And when to visit Jogja? The best time starts from next month.

The rainy season, which lasts November to April, is likley to prevent visitors from enjoying walking around the beautiful tourist sites. During the dry season from May to October, the picturesque sunny sky is almost always out there.

Document KORTIM0020060421e24l0000n


I am surprised there is no mention of Prambanan and other temples surrounding Yogyakarta either. Prambanan is bery stunning as well and the entire complex of Buddhist and Hindus ruins where Prambanan stand is just huge.

Ancient temple of Borobudur: Every carving teaches a lesson
Yoav Cerralbo
590 words
22 April 2006
The Korea Herald
English
(c) 2006 The Korea Herald
JOGJAKARTA, Indonesia - Visiting one of the world's great wonders doesn't have to take hours of horseback riding - it can be easy as hopping on a plane and then taking a bus.

Borobudur is one of those places. Located in central Java, Indonesia, Borobudur is considered the greatest Buddhist stupa in Indonesia and the largest Buddhist monument on earth.

It's well worth the trip especially now that traveling to Indonesia has never been easier with daily flights from Seoul offered by many airlines.

Built and decorated between 750 A.D. and 800 A.D. by Javanese rulers of the Sailendra dynasty, this marvel is also one of the 10 greatest art complexes in the world for its size, quality, sophistication and excellent state of preservation.

The structure is erected on a hill in the form of a stepped pyramid with six rectangular stories, three circular terraces and a central stupa. The entire temple is in the form of a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha.

Walking through this 55,000-square-meter lava rock wonder is awe inspiring. Every floor tells the story of the bodhisattva from samsara to nirvana. Walking around Borobudur Temple you understand why some scholars believe that this is a massive Buddhist textbook designed to help people achieve enlightenment. The walls of the galleries are adorned with carvings illustrating the life of Buddha and the principles of his teaching.

Admission to the temple is $10 for the day. Once inside there are tour guides ready to explain the temple and what many of the carvings mean while holding an umbrella to shelter you from the blistering tropical sun for a few extra dollars.

They even know all the best spots for pictures so that you can impress you friends back home with some National Geographic-style photos.

One piece of advice they will give you is to walk around the odd number floors and the top 10th floor. Don't listen to them. If you have the time, enjoy every single floor. The entire walk will cover some 3.2 km and will take an entire afternoon.

Walking around every corner on every floor is an adventure making you feel like Indiana Jones at Borobudur Temple. There is a certain thrill and excitement before turning at any corner - What is around the bend? What will I see?

The temple grounds are about an hour outside of Yogyakarta (or Jogjakarta), the main city in the area.

Staying in Jogjakarta provides tourists the opportunity to enjoy a city that has a mix of a predominantly Muslim lifestyle as well as Buddhist and Hindu architecture.

The sultan's palace or kraton with its grand elegant Javanese architecture lies in the center of the city. Kraton still functions as the home of the Sultan and is open daily to visitors. Beware though, just outside the palace there are countless merchants trying to sell souvenirs. They are relentless but a good bargain can be had if you play the uninterested shopper.

One problem with Jogjakarta - if you're looking for nightlife then forget it. The city shuts down at 9 p.m. except for a few bars around some of the major hotels. If it is a lively nightlife scene you want, then you should head to Bali. If you're looking to explore a UNESCO World Heritage site without having to ride for hours on a horse, a trip to Jogjakarta is it.

(yoav@heraldm.com)

North Sulawesi with Lombok and Bali promoting their diving and tourism in Singapore ADEX 2006

Promosi Besar-besaran Wisata Selam Sulawesi Utara

Kawasan Sulawesi bagian utara, bersama Bali dan Lombok, berpromosi besar-besaran dalam pameran bagi pencinta olahraga bawah air yang diadakan di Singapura, 21-23 April 2006 lalu. Pameran bertajuk Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) 2006 itu diadakan di gedung pameran ternama negara itu, Suntec International, Singapura.

Dalam pameran yang diselenggarakan bersamaan dengan Boat Asia 2006, suatu pameran internasional kapal pesiar mewah yang diikuti para produsen kapal dari seluruh dunia, Sulawesi Utara, Bali, dan Lombok, termasuk menonjol mempromosikan kawasannya sebagai daerah tujuan wisata yang menarik bagi para penyelam.

Sejumlah kawasan di Indonesia tersebut, seperti diakui Direktur Eksekutif The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association, Tom Ingram, memang memiliki pesona bawah air yang amat menarik para wisatawan. Dalam percakapan dengan Pembaruan di sela-sela pameran tersebut, Tom Ingra5m mengatakan, Indonesia dan sejumlah negara di Asia Tenggara, memiliki keunikan tersendiri bagi para penyelam. Suhu air yang selalu hangat sepanjang tahun, ditambah keindahan karang, tumbuhan, dan hewan-hewan laut di dalamnya, membuat banyak wisatawan, khususnya para penyelam, yang senang datang ke Indonesia.

"Yang dibutuhkan hanyalah agar sarana pelengkap wisata selam, seperti transportasi, akomodasi, dan keamanan, selalu dijaga dengan baik dan ditingkatkan pelayanannya. Bagi wisatawan yang hobi menyelam, selain keindahan dan keunikan bawah air, yang penting juga adalah keamanan dan kenyamanan selama mereka berwisata," kata Tom Ingram.



Dalam pameran ADEX 2006 itu, daerah tujuan wisata bagi pencinta selam yang dipromosikan antara lain Gangga Island Resort & Spa. Para penyelam diundang untuk datang ke Pulau Gangga yang terletak di ujung utara Provinsi Sulawesi Utara, tepatnya di Kepulauan Sangihe.

Laut di sekitar Pulau Gangga merupakan kawasan selam yang menarik dan indah. Daratannya yang dikelilingi hutan tropis, cocok dijadikan tempat wisata. Ditambah lagi dengan pasir putih di pantai dan laut yang berisikan aneka ragam karang, tumbuhan laut, serta aneka jenis ikan berwarna-warni, membuat tempat wisata menjadi semakin menarik.

Promosi wisata juga dilakukan oleh Minahasa Lagoon Dive and Tours Club. Tempat penginapan dan wisata itu menyediakan 15 cottage di pinggir pantai, lengkap dengan sebuah pusat pelayanan bagi para penyelam. Bagi wisatawan yang datang dan ingin menyelam, dapat memilih untuk menyelam di sejumlah tempat di sekitar penginapan tersebut. Tentu saja Bunaken yang sudah dikenal keindahannya oleh para penyelam dari seluruh dunia, menjadi pilihan utama yang dapat didatangi.

Keindahan bawah air Bunaken, juga dipromosikan oleh Living Colour Dive Resort. Pihak pengelola penginapan dan wisata selam itu, menjamin wisatawan bisa menikmati keseluruhan Taman Nasional Laut Bunaken. Dipandu oleh para instruktur selam bersertifikat internasional, para wisatawan dijamin keamanan mereka selama menyelam. Di pinggir pantai, disediakan pula tempat tidur jarring (hammock), tempat para wisatawan dapat bersantai sehabis menyelam.

Di luar Sulawesi Utara, Bali, Lombok, dan bahkan Pulau Komodo di NTT, juga menawarkan beragam kenikmatan untuk para wisatawan yang datang. Baik untuk menyelam, sekadar bersantai di tepi pantai, atau untuk jalan-jalan mengelilingi pulau-pulau tersebut. [B-8]



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last modified: 26/4/06

I hope the tourist will still visit these places...

Indonesia reports sharp decline in tourist numbers

There has been a 13 per cent fall in first quarter tourist arrivals in Indonesia, with the largest decline recorded in Bali.

Island businesses are struggling to survive after three bomb attacks killed 26 people in October 2005.

A report by Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics says foot traffic through Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport has fallen by almost 27 per cent in the last quarter.

In March, 88,000 foreigners visited the island resort, compared with 121,000 a year ago.

Our reporter in Jakarta, Katie Hammann, says many tourists are now choosing other holiday destinations, such as Thailand and East Timor.

Despite the overall decline, more foreigners have landed in Jakarta this quarter, with 271,000 arrivals in the capital against 257,000 for the same period last year.

ABC Asia Pacific TV / Radio Australia

Yikes...

It'll take at least another year before tourism recovers to its pre-2005 bombing figures IMHO...let's all unite and pray for security in Bali. cheers.

what were the pre 2001 figures like comapred to the pre 2005 and current figures

Arabic signboards for tourists in Indonesia
By Zaigham Ali Mirza

4 May 2006



DUBAI —Tourists from the Arab world visiting Indonesia in future will have a pleasant surprise or two in store for them as the tourism authority there is focusing more on attracting visitors from the Middle East region, said Jero Wacik, Indonesian Minister for Culture and Tourism.


"For instance, we are working on signboards in Arabic at our airports to make things easier for tourists from the Middle East in general and the GCC in particular," he explained speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday at the Indonesian pavilion following the opening of the Arabian Travel Market here.

He said in a unique service, Arab families visiting Indonesia will also have the option of employing the services of maids during their trip to the country.

The minister noted that restaurants serving Arabic cuisine are also coming up at a number of major hotels across Indonesia.

"Post 9/11, tourists from this region have found that visiting European destinations is a little different than it was before," he said and explained that most Arab tourists now turn to the South and Far East, and Indonesia is working to expand its share in the market.

Jero admitted that lack of proper promotion has remained the biggest weakness for Indonesia as a tourism destination, but work is being done in this regard to aggressively market the tourism potential of the region's biggest country.

He said that though the country's national carrier Garuda had a limited network, there are a number foreign airlines, especially from the Middle East that create 800,000 seats annually on their flights to Indonesia.

According to Thamrin B. Bachri, Director-General of the Directorate General of Marketing at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Indonesia, the political relations with Australia in particular have had minimal impact on tourism.

"Politics has nothing to do with tourism; and though our relations with Australia have been up and down from time to time, tourist flow from down under has remained as usual," he said.

Thamrin noted that the image that has been created about Indonesia is simply not right and the ministry is working through media centres to address the issue of perception.

Responding to a question, he said that by the second bombing in Bali, tourism had picked up from the slump following the first Bali bombing.

"After the first blast, arrivals had fallen from 7,000 to 1,500 per day. The arrivals had then gone up to 5,000 and many hotels were reporting up to 80 per cent occupancy when the second blast happened," he said, adding that despite the tragedy, the overall picture is reassuring with total arrivals touching five million in 2005 as against the 5.36 million in 2004.

He revealed that Indonesia receives some 44,000 tourists annually from the GCC, and through aggressive marketing and specific services, the authority intends to increase this figure to 100,000 this year, and to over a million by 2009.

Thamrin noted that unlike some other popular destinations in the South East, Indonesia intends to develop a clean tourism. He said the ministry was very clear about not having casinos or women as the main element of tourism in the country. He however clarified that Indonesia is moderate when it comes to religion and many people of different faiths co-exist there in peace.

HUNDREDS OF ISLANDS IN KETAPANG HAVE POTENTIAL TO INVITE TOURISTS 221 words
7 May 2006
LKBN ANTARA
English
(c) 2006 Asia Pulse Pty Limited. Asia Pulse gives no warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy of the information, Asia Pulse shall not be liable for errors or omissions in, or delays or interruptions to or cessation of delivery of, the data through its negligence or otherwise.
Pontianak, May 7 (ANTARA) - Hundreds of small islands in Ketapang waters, West Kalimantan, has the potential to become attractive tourist destinations due to their attractive natural condition and astonishing marine wealth.

The Head of West Kalimantan Information, Culture and Tourism Office, Yudo Sudarto, emphasized here last weekend the importance of developing those islands not only to attract tourists, but also to minimize the threat to the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

According to data available in Ketapang regency, there are 109 islands in the waters between the Strait of Karimata and Kendawangan Sea. Sixty-two islands are located in Pulau Maya sub-district, 30 islands in Kendawangan sub-district, ten islands in Sukadana sub-district, five islands each in Matan Hilir Utara, Delta Pawan and Muara Pawab sub-districts, and two islands each in Benua Kayong and Matan Hilir Selatan sub-districts.

Fifty-two of the 109 islands are unoccupied, some islands are occupied only during the fish catching season, and a number islands, especially the large ones, have permanent residents.

Yudo believes that the development of those islands will invite foreign investors who are interested in utilizing the natural and cultural potential of the islands to collect revenue from various sectors, including the tourist sector.

Document ANTARA0020060508e25700008

Asia - South-east Asia
SIA, Jakarta ink deal to promote Indonesia
111 words
28 June 2006
Straits Times
English
(c) 2006 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
BALI - SINGAPORE Airlines and Jakarta's Ministry of Culture and

Tourism yesterday signed a year-long agreement to boost tourism in

Indonesia.

Both sides will continue to develop and promote Indonesia as a

travel destination. SIA and SilkAir will conduct marketing

campaigns in the United States and countries in Europe and Asia

to promote awareness of Indonesia.

The airlines will also promote Indonesia through joint

participation in travel fairs and educational trips for travel

agents and journalists.

In Indonesia, the ministry will sponsor ground arrangements such

as land transport, hotel accommodation, domestic air travel and

visits to Indonesian tourist attractions.

100 sailboats from 15 countries participate in "Sail Indonesia"

Darwin, July 21 (ANTARA) -- Some 100 sailboats from 15 countries participating in "Sail Indonesia" are leaving here for Indonesian waters on Saturday, chairman of the Indonesian Love Maritime Foundation (YCBI) Raymond T.Lesmana said here Friday.

Sail Indonesia as the biggest maritime event in Asia in 2006 and part of international sailing rally involves 100 sailboats from Australia, the United States, Britain, France, New Zealand, Norway, Hong Kong, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Vanuatu and several other countries.

Departing from Darwin port on Saturday, the sailboats will be leaving for Kupang, Alor, Lembata Riung, Makassar, Bali, Karimun Jawa and Kumai, and then leave Indonesian waters through Batam island for Singapore and Langkawi (Malaysia), he said.

However, no Indonesian sailboat is taking part in the rally, he said, adding that there is a sailboat using an Indonesian name "Merpati Putih" (white dove), but this vessel belongs to a foreigner.

Governors and heads of local administrations in the destinations of the rally in Indonesia will welcome the participants of this year`s Sail Indonesia, according to Raymond.

Sail Indonesia, which has become part of the international sailing rally in the third week of July each year, will have a positive impact on Indonesia`s programs to develop the tourism sector, introduce the potentials of its tourist industry, disseminate information about Indonesia`s coastal communities and popularize marine sports, he said.

While receiving Sail Indonesia participants, the governors and district heads in Indonesia can introduce investment opportunities and the tourist industry in their respective regions, he added.

The Indonesian government has given a three-month opportunity to the participants of the sailing rally to observe the uniqueness and beauty of Indonesian waters and their islands, according to the YCBI chairman.(*)

Jakarta Kota Paling Dihindari Wisatawan

Jakarta, Kompas-Jakarta termasuk kota yang paling dihindari wisatawan karena pelbagai problem membuatnya semakin tidak menarik dikunjungi jika dibanding kota lain di manca-negara. Mantan Menteri Lingkungan Hidup yang kini menjadi anggota DPR-RI Sonny Keraf di Jakarta, Senin (31/7) dalam Lokakarya Pariwisata Dan Ekonomi Perkotaan menegaskan, salah satu penyebab utama Jakarta dihindari wisatawan adalah gejala menolak multikulturalisme.

"Multikulturalisme adalah realitas di seluruh dunia dan menjadi daya tarik wisata. Meski ada banyak potensi wisata secara fisik dan budaya tetapi di Jakarta juga muncul kelompok yang menentang multikulturalisme sehingga menjadi kampanye negatif bagi dunia pariwisata," kata Keraf.

Menurut dia, secara potensi Jakarta memiliki segudang kekayaan apalagi posisinya sebagai representasi Indonesia. Namun secara realitas itu Jakarta tidak menjadi pusat wisata pelbagai bidang yang penuh daya tarik.

Selain itu ada segudang persoalan yang membuat Jakarta makin dihindari wisatawan. Keraf mencontohkan, kemacetan lalu-lintas, polusi, bau, bising, kriminalitas dan perilaku penduduk turut menjadi faktor penyebab Jakarta semakin tidak menarik.

Untuk mengatasi persoalan tersebut, pemerintah pusat dan pemerintah Propinsi DKI Jakarta harus membatasi pembangunan mall yang menimbulkan kemacetan dan hotel-hotel baru. Kegiatan tersebut seharusnya tumbuh di daerah lain sejalan dengan otonomi daerah. Sejauh ini otonomi memang mendistribusi dana ke daerah tetapi pada pelaksanaan kegiatan masih berlangsung di pusat.

Jakarta "Keropos"

Wakil Gubernur DKI Jakarta usai membuka lokakarya menjelaskan, Jakarta dikhawatirkan sedang memasuki proses decaying (keropos-red). Padahal kota lain di Asia Tenggara bersaing untuk menjadi semakin menarik kunjungan dan investasi.

"Saya khawatir kita sedang memasuki fase kota yang semakin tidak menarik sehingga kalah bersaing dari kota-kota lain. Padahal kita memiliki heritage dan sejarah yang menarik," kata Fauzi Bowo.

Menurut Fauzi, ada dua faktor yakni internal dan eksternal yang memicu proses decaying. Secara internal keberadaan birokrasi justru menimbulkan hambatan.

Dia mencontohkan, pada tahun 1970-an kota New York pun sempat mengalami nasib serupa bahkan bangkrut sehingga harus dibantu pemerintah Federal. Ketika itu pemerintah Kotapraja New York mengalami defisit, kejahatan merajalela bahkan menggaji polisi pun sudah tidak sanggup.

Pelbagai bisnis besar seperti IBM hijrah ke New Jersey dan kota-kota lain.

Untuk menyelamatkan New York akhirnya dibuat kampanye pencitraan baru sebagai "The Big Apple" City. Identitas itu berhasil membangkitkan New York pulih kembali dan berkembang hingga kini.

Ketika ditanya tentang menjamurnya mall di Jakarta, Fauzi menjawab harus dilihat apakah keberadaannya menambah daya saing kota. Jika tidak demikian tentu harus dibatasi.

Citra Baru Jakarta

Salah satu pembicara pakar pemasaran Rhenald Kasali menjelaskan, Jakarta harus melakukan reposisi dalam memasarkan diri sebagai salah satu simbol wisata.

"Paris sudah menjadi citra peradaban Eropa Barat. Beijing selepas Olimpiade 2008 menyiapkan diri menjadi Ibukota Asia. Jakarta dan Indonesia harus memiliki suatu citra yang mudah diingat dan berkesan. Thailand memasarkan Amazing Thailand, Singapura dan Malaysia juga melakukan langkah serupa," kata Kasali.

Kota-kota besar selalu memiliki citra tertentu seperti Washington DC sebagai pusat pemerintahan, Los Angeles pusat bisnis warga Asia-Amerika, Chicago kota dagang, dan lain-lain.

Menurut Khasali adalah salah jika pariwisata sekadar diartikan orang datang untuk melihat pemandangan, berfokus pada kedatangan orang asing dan tidak diperbaharui.

"Kedutaan Thailand di Singapura menjajakan Durian, Thai Massage, Tom Yam Gong dan Es Kelapa di Orchard Road. Malaysia memutus asosia bahwa batik merupakan produk budaya Indonesia sekaligus mengangkat citra mereka. Singapura dan Malaysia bahkan sudah menganggap Indonesia sebagai bagian pasar domestik mereka," kata Khasali.

Untuk bersaing Jakarta harus menentukan sikap mau menjadi apa. Citra apa yang akan diangkat karena begitu banyak potensi tetapi tidak dikemas dan ditata.

Namun, sebelum "berjualan" pariwisata Jakarta harus dilakukan pembenahan menyeluruh. Dia menambahkan, pantang berjualan jika produk yang ditawarkan dalam kondisi jelek.

Pembicara lain, Dorojatun Kuntjoro Jakti menegaskan, sektor pariwisata harus digarap serius karena merupakan salah satu penyumbang devisa selain sektor ekspor dan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia. "Jakarta harus mengembangkan wisata short visit seperti kawasan bersejarah yang dapat dikunjungi dalam waktu 4-5 jam," kata Dorojatun. Turut hadir sebagai pembicara pengusaha Sofyan Wanandi. (ong)

^^ the city most "dihindarkan" is Bagdad and Pyongyang :) Kompas journalists like to express too much that Indonesia is this filthy rechid country and always compare with the other countries... I don't know what to say :| is it motivation to be a better country :|?

^^ he does have a point though, jakarta is 'di hindarkan' when compared to other asian capitals...like KL, Singapore, Bangkok, Beijing...

--------------------------------------------------------------------


Kunjungan wisman Juni naik 8,6%

JAKARTA: Jumlah kunjungan wisatawan mancanegara (wisman) melalui 13 pintu masuk utama Indonesia pada Juni tahun ini mencapai 361.127 orang atau meningkat 8,63% dibandingkan bulan sebelumnya sebanyak 33.445 orang.

Peningkatan kunjungan wisman pada Juni dibandingkan bulan sebelumnya itu terjadi di hampir semua pintu masuk utama menyusul bulan Juni merupakan musim liburan atau masa peak season.

BPS melaporkan peningkatan dengan persentase tertinggi terjadi di pintu masuk utama Entikong sebesar 49,06% diikuti Tanjung Priok 39,57% dan Minangkabau 16,17%.

Pintu masuk utama lain yang mencatat peningkatan adalah Soekarno-Hatta sebesar 12,58%, Tanjung Pinang 8,32%, Batam 7,95%, Ngurah Rai 7,27%, Mataram 5,27% dan Sam Ratulangi 0,68%.

Sementara, empat pintu masuk utama lain tercatat mengalami penurunan jumlah wisman yakni Makassar 100% karena tak ada penerbangan internasional, Adi Sumarmo 25,66%, Polonia 15,08% dan Juanda 3,58%.

BPS juga mencatat jumlah kunjungan wisman yang berlibur ke Bali pada Juni ini meningkat menjadi 115.502 orang atau naik 7,27% dibandingkan bulan sebelumnya sebanyak 107.678 orang.

Namun, apabila dibandingkan bulan yang sama pada tahun lalu, wisman ke Bali mengalami penurunan sampai 19,04%.

Hal tersebut juga dialami seluruh pintu masuk utama ke Indonesia, jumlah wisman juga merosot tipis 1,94%, apabila jumlah kunjungan wisman Juni ini dibandingkan bulan yang sama tahun lalu.

Secara kumulatif pada Januari-Juni 2006, BPS melaporkan jumlah kunjungan wisman ke Tanah Air merosot sampai 7,54% ketimbang periode yang sama tahun lalu atau dari 2.049.487 orang menjadi 1.894.916 orang.

Di lain pihak tingkat hunian kamar (TPK) hotel berbintang di 10 daerah tujuan wisata Indonesia pada Mei 2006 mencapai 45,11% atau naik 0,92 poin ketimbang TPK bulan sebelumnya sebesar 44,19%.

Urutan pertama

BPS juga mencatat Provinsi DKI Jakarta menempati urutan pertama dengan TPK mencapai 57,22%, apabila dibandingkan 10 daerah tujuan wisata di Indonesia lainnya.

Apabila diamati menurut klasifikasi, TPK hotel bintang lima pada Mei ini mencapai 55,17% dan merupakan TPK tertinggi ketimbang kelas hotel berbintang yang lainnya.

Di sisi rata-rata lama menginap tamu asing dan Indonesia pada hotel berbintang di 10 daerah tujuan wisata Tanah Air pada Mei tahun ini mencapai 2,36 hari atau turun 0,13 hari ketimbang bulan sebelumnya.

Meski demikian, rata-rata lama menginap tamu asing pada Mei ini lebih tinggi ketimbang tamu domestik yaitu masing-masing 3,33 hari dan 2,03 hari yang terjadi di seluruh provinsi kecuali Jateng.

Menurut propinsi di mana daerah tujuan wisata berada, tercatat rata-rata lama menginap tamu tertinggi terjadi di Bali 3,82 hari, DKI Jakarta 2,25 hari, sementara tamu menginap yang terendah terjadi di Jateng. (hendra. wibawa@bisnis.co.id)

Oleh Hendra Wibawa
Bisnis Indonesia

I'm not very sure about Pyongyang... I guess many people would like to visit Pyongyang if allowed by the north korean government. Maybe it's like travelling back in time....

poor jakarta...

damn those terrorist...

Beautifull Bali Indonesia? Pfff to simple and sounds boring :ohno:

Indonesia plans to “Beautiful Bali Indonesia” push as its new tourism motto
Dec 11, 06 | 10:34 am


By Satish Gupta | eTN Asia
Indonesia is taking initiatives to clear misconceptions pertaining to earthquakes and bombings by expanding its international offices apart from promoting the destination through a new motto. Indonesia has made a big announcement ahead of new year. The government has instructed the Culture and Tourism Ministry and tour operators to start using “Beautiful Bali Indonesia” as the symbol of tourism promotion.

“Let’s start using “Beautiful Bali Indonesia” as our motto in tourism,” said Vice President Jusuf Kalla. “We need to strengthen Bali as an icon for Indonesia, like Taj Mahal for India or the Petronas Tower for Malaysia.” Taking a cue from Malaysia’s positioning “Truly Asia”, the Indonesian authorities feel that used, the motto of Indonesia’s tourism promotion should be made simpler, easier to remember and more attractive to tourists.

Kalla reportedly said the country’s tourism promotion has so far been affected by a lack of fund and unclear theme. Thus, he added that henceforth the theme should be made clearer with the Paradise Island of Bali as the icon. “Bali is the icon of Beautiful Bali Indonesia,” he reportedly said, calling on the Culture and Tourism Ministry to start the promotion by making the movies of interesting sites in the country.

Among other developments, Indonesia is considering the opening of tourism representative offices in more world capitals, including in London, in 2007 as part of its efforts to promote its tourism world-wide, Tourism and Culture Minister Jero Wacik said. It has opened tourism representative offices in Tokyo, Beijing, and Sydney.

A report on Ministry of Tourism and Culture site indicated that foreign media tended only to report the “bad” things happening in Indonesia such as earthquakes, tsunamis and bombings, according to Wacik.

In reality, such things as quakes and tsunamis only happened in a few areas of the country while other areas in Indonesia were quite safe. When Yogyakarta province was hit by an earthquake on May 27, 2006 foreign media reported that Jakarta as the Indonesian capital city was also rocked by the killer tremor.

Indonesia doesn't have a master plan for its tourism, our tourism slogan changes every year...so laughable. :lol:

Gluttony's slogan is far more interesting than Beautiful Bali Indonesia's slogan

Indonesia
A World of its Own


Jusuf Kalla has done it again......

cheers

Indonesia A world of is own is the BEST :okay: !!!!!!!!!!!!

^^ I think so too!! even though its used before it'll be superior in the region!

should renew somthing like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Js8wOfp9w

(Add some Papuans culture to replace that women near the waterfall thing etc.)

or they can just make it short: "A World.."

so it can be filled with of Diversity,of Culinary, of Attractions, of Landscape etc.

Yusuf Kalla Idea Sucks

“Let’s start using “Beautiful Bali Indonesia” as our motto in tourism,” said Vice President Jusuf Kalla.


:ohno:

can't find a better idea?

Visit Indonesia 2008 for celebrating 100 years of National rise?(Hari Kebangkitan Bangsa?) and a world culture forum? thats a great Idea :cheers:!!!
----------------------------------------------------
Indonesia eyes 5.5 million overseas tourists in 2007

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government is optimistically hoping to attract 5.5 million overseas tourists next year on intensified promotion despite only 4.8 million tourists visiting Indonesia this year.

"We had 5.3 million tourists in 2004, after having negative growth for two consecutive years in 2002 and 2003. So, I'm optimistic that the 2007 target will be attainable," Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said during a media briefing Wednesday.

He said the Bali bombings in 2005 and the Yogyakarta earthquake last May, as well as the fear of avian flu, were some of the causes that contributed to the decline in the number of tourists this year and last year.

The minister forecast the country would earn Rp 45 trillion (US$ 5 billion) in foreign exchange revenue from overseas tourists in 2007, with most of these tourists entering through the country's three main gateways -- Ngurah Rai, Soekarno Hatta and Batam airports. Jero estimated that each visitor would spend at least $903.

Indonesia will only earn $4.38 billion from overseas tourists this year, down from $4.5 billion in 2005.

However, the number of domestic tourists grew steadily this year to more than 115 million, spending a total of Rp 78.6 trillion, representing 1.5 percent growth over last year's Rp 77.5 trillion.

The 2007 budget for the Culture and Tourism Ministry has been pegged at Rp 982 billion, 50 percent of which will be spent on upgrading the tourism industry. Domestic and overseas tourism promotion will account for $12 million of the ministry budget.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry will start preparing next year for the 2008 Visit Indonesia Year and the 2008 World Culture Forum by encouraging more tourism based on international events such as meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE).

The ministry will particularly target visitors from China, India and the Middle East, which are the country's most prospective new markets, besides the traditional markets of Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Australia and Europe.

By way of comparison, Malaysia's "Truly Asia" promotion attracted 15 million overseas tourists in 2005. The neighboring country has also allocated $80 million for the promotion of the 2007 Visit Malaysia Year. (07)

^^ great idea! i hope the slogan 'Indonesia A World of Its Own' will be used :D

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3820/sampireum4id7.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9158/sampireum2xv7.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5430/sampireum1ms0.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1885/sampireum3qb7.jpg

^^ wow! great.. where in java island is it located?

^^ wow! great.. where in java island is it located?



in the vicinity of Garut.

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/3221/manado2uo9.jpg

Garut is famous for its dodol :D..

^^ great idea! i hope the slogan 'Indonesia A World of Its Own' will be used :D

A World of it's Own???:weird: Is it a song from Westlife??? WORLD OF OUR OWN:)

Nice pics Jag!!

^^ it was farean's sign :)

A World of it's Own???:weird: Is it a song from Westlife??? WORLD OF OUR OWN:)

Nice pics Jag!!

stupid westlife :bash: . but Rainbow of Asia is very similar to Truly Asia. what I'd like is a word that describes something bigger or out of asia since were a country that doesnt touch the Asian mainland :)

Rainbow of the world? hehehe just a world is fine so you can put something after a world like a world of diversity or something like that :)

Berat banget "WORLD".... Make Indonesia known as an Asian part. couse we are Asian:) Remember.... RAIN FOREST in Asia!!!!. let's make our own style as an asian he he he....

We should avoid using the term Asia as it is a kind of follower to Malaysia. I have to admit that Malaysia is smart with their tourism slogan (truly asia). The slogan is very good, easy to remember for commomers and has selling power.

Indonesia, the ultimate in diversity is also a good concept. It tells the diverse richness we have. But it doesn't have selling power and not easy to remember by commoners. For me, it is better using something simple but with a 'bang' that in turn is very easy to penetrate peoples' mind. In this case I propose SPECTACULAR INDONESIA!

Off course, with that slogan we have to commit that we are going to present top quality destination.

Incredible Indonesia? nanti ngikut Incredible India.. Spectacular Indonesia is great too!

how about

"Exquisite INDONESIA" :)

I don't like the "Asia" part too, especially because the Malaysia Truly Asia campaign has been everywhere and most people have already seen it. It would seem like a copy. There's also the issue that about 1/3 of Indonesia is not geographically in Asia, but rather Melanesia.

Good point, Zoro...

I just think 'Ultimate in Diversity' is a crap slogan...it represents Indonesia, but it's way too long to be an effective/easily memorised punchline. I think Indonesia should revamp its tourism strategy and inject more funds...Malaysia is spending $87 million (if i'm not mistaken) this year to promote Visit Malaysia 2007...how can we compete??

yes.. it's too long.. find something shorter and more 'nancep'

He he he... "Ultimate in Diversity" (?) Slogannya dah lama banget dan sering dipakai, tapi nggak ada impac-nya, tetap saja orang nggak kenal apa itu "Ultimate in Diversity"... Must be change-lah:)

^^ emang.. harusnya nyari yang lebih mudah diingat.. how about "Indonesia, Perfect Paradise"?

exquisite indonesia sounds unique don't you all think so

^^ Its cool but for the non-english speaking people, they might have difficult times to pronounce it.

Anyway, we talked about that and this...but heck, are the government listening to us here?

cheers

if you want you can contact them here

http://www.budpar.go.id/contactprofil.php

di dengerin kok.... gw aja dpt e-mail dari bagian Humasnya(belum sempet baca sihh

GUys, what about

!!!! EXPerience Indonesia !!!

or

!!! Only in Indonesia !!!

or

!!! Enjoy Indonesia !!!

or

!!! Impressive Indonesia !!!

Just my 20 cents idea..

dream come true in Indonesia.....
find paradise only in Indonesia..... ehmm... gak salah nih??