“The tourist industry is sleeping.” This comment by Asnawi Bahar, chairman of the Association of the Indonesia Tour and Travel Agencies (Asita), says it all. Last year, 7.7 million tourists visited Indonesia, a 9 percent increase over the previous year. But while officials hailed the figure as demonstrating the success of government efforts, comparisons with neighboring countries reveal the country’s tourism sector to be little more than a sleepy backwater.
Despite floods and plenty of negative publicity about the domestic political situation, Thailand greeted 23 million tourists last year. Neighboring Malaysia welcomed 24 million.
A look at the results of a survey conducted by the tourism ministry reveals yet another worrying development. Last year, the average length of stay for tourists in Indonesia fell from 8.04 days to 7.84. Fortunately, an unexpected rise in the amount of money each tourist spent resulted in foreign exchange revenues remaining strong. But how long can such a situation last?
The problems facing the tourism industry are legion. Chief among them is an issue that bedevils business across the country — the lack of sufficient infrastructure.
One of the most unusual attractions in Indonesia, for example, are the colored lakes near the summit of the Kelimutu volcano in Flores. To get there, tourists must make use of the nation’s widely maligned domestic airline system by taking a 3 1/2-hour flight to Maumere from Bali. The drive from Maumere to Moni, the town at the base of the volcano, takes another three hours. Available accommodation is limited to small, non-five star hotels.
Another area with significant tourism potential is the Raja Ampat Islands, located off the north-west tip of the Bird’s Head Peninsula in the province of West Papua. Although widely hailed for its scuba diving, surfing and massive coral colonies, there are no direct international flights. Instead, visitors must fly to Sorong from Jakarta, before taking a boat to the islands.
Indonesia Nothing More Than ‘Sleepy Backwater’ for International Tourists | The Jakarta Globe
Despite floods and plenty of negative publicity about the domestic political situation, Thailand greeted 23 million tourists last year. Neighboring Malaysia welcomed 24 million.
A look at the results of a survey conducted by the tourism ministry reveals yet another worrying development. Last year, the average length of stay for tourists in Indonesia fell from 8.04 days to 7.84. Fortunately, an unexpected rise in the amount of money each tourist spent resulted in foreign exchange revenues remaining strong. But how long can such a situation last?
The problems facing the tourism industry are legion. Chief among them is an issue that bedevils business across the country — the lack of sufficient infrastructure.
One of the most unusual attractions in Indonesia, for example, are the colored lakes near the summit of the Kelimutu volcano in Flores. To get there, tourists must make use of the nation’s widely maligned domestic airline system by taking a 3 1/2-hour flight to Maumere from Bali. The drive from Maumere to Moni, the town at the base of the volcano, takes another three hours. Available accommodation is limited to small, non-five star hotels.
Another area with significant tourism potential is the Raja Ampat Islands, located off the north-west tip of the Bird’s Head Peninsula in the province of West Papua. Although widely hailed for its scuba diving, surfing and massive coral colonies, there are no direct international flights. Instead, visitors must fly to Sorong from Jakarta, before taking a boat to the islands.
Indonesia Nothing More Than ‘Sleepy Backwater’ for International Tourists | The Jakarta Globe
