TEMPO, Tuesday, 10 July, 2007 | 16:24 WIB
Australia's Warning Hits Tourism
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Several Indonesian tourism entrepreneurs acknowledged
they are very much affected by Australia's travel warning. It is predicted that the
warning will cause a number of tourists coming to Indonesia go down drastically as
Australia is the second highest foreign tourist contributor after Japan.
"Our condition becomes worse," said Mety Robot, an adviser of the Indonesian Travel
Association for Jakarta, yesterday (9/7).
According to Head of the Indonesian Travel Association for Bali, Al Purwa, Australia's
travel warning has terrorized businesspeople and future tourists. There is not in fact
any cancellation of travel and hotel reservations. However, "We're worried and
frightened by the warning," he said.
The kangaroo country's government warned its citizens on Sunday (8/7) not to visit
Indonesia especially Ambon, Maluku and Central Sulawesi. The reason is, there was
a terrorism threat. Earlier, Australia issued travel warnings when bombs exploded in
Bali in October 2002 and 2005.
This warning of Australia is the second blow for Indonesian tourism business this
month. on 28 June, the European Union prohibited Indonesian aircraft from entering
Europe.
The measure was followed by several European insurance companies not willing to
guarantee their clients' claim for flying on Indonesian aircraft. Travel agents also
warned European citizens in Bali to use buses, trains or ships for traveling to other
Indonesian regions.
Meity explained that travel agents have already tried to influence European tourists.
"They're very insurance-minded, rather than finding problems, it's better to look for
other countries in Southeast Asia."
Kodhyat, tourism observer from Indonesian Travel Study institution, asked all sides
not to be panic about the warning. The travel warning, he said, will not be effective.
Despite the fact it has been issued several times, Australians still are visiting tourism
spots in Indonesia especially Bali. "For Australians, Bali is already like a second
home," he said. dian yuliastuti | agus supriyanto
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