Tourism in Indonesia
Tourism in Indonesia is being developed through two main programs, covering tourism and tourism products. There are five supporting programs, namely' control of environmental pollution, education, training and tourism guidance; tourism research and development; tourism infrastructure development; and the supervision and development of arts and culture.
The target for tourism set in Repelita VI is 6.5 million foreign tourists with US$9 billion in foreign exchange. Meanwhile 84.2 million domestic tourists are expected to spend nine (9) trillion rupiahs. Through various activities, tourism is expected to generate 900.000 new job opportunities.
DOMESTIC TOURISM PROMOTION
Tourist objects and tourist attractions are being introduced to the Indonesian people to promote domestic tourism. Group tourist awareness (Pokdarwis) has been established as moving spirit for tourist development such as the improvement of tourist attractions to socialize the Seven Charms Program (Sapta Pesona) consisting of safety, cleanliness, orderliness, comfort, beauty, hospitality, and enchanting memories. Until 1997/98, there were 921 Pokdarwis throughout Indonesia, or an increase of 71.5% since 1993/94. To encourage domestic tourism, in 1997/98 the Government started to develop tours for senior citizens.
The Tourist Awareness Campaign every year adopted different themes in accordance with the national development rhythm and dynamics. In 1997, the theme was The Year of Cooperatives and Telecommunication and in 1998 the theme was: The Year of Art and Culture.
Several national tourist events have been held throughout Indonesia. In 1997/98 the events included Toba Lake Festival in North Sumatra; The Indonesian Archipelago Palace Festival in West Java; Borobudur Festival in Central Java; Bromo Festival in East Java; The Balibo Art Festival in East Timor; The Bidar Kapuas Festival in West Kalimantan; Sea Park Festival in Maluku; and the Lembah Baliem Arts and Culture Festival in Irian Jaya.
Despite the current economic crisis which has hit Indonesia since July 1997, the number of domestic tourists increased steadily. In fiscal year 1997/98 the number of domestic tourists was 120 million persons who spent 14 trillion rupiahs.
DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM PRODUCTS
In fiscal year 1997/98, the Main National Tourism Development Plan (RIPP) was completed, as was the main Regional Main Tourism Development Plan for the provinces of Jambi, South Sumatra, South Sulawesi, Palembang, in South Sumatra; Kaliurang, Merapi and Merbabu in Central Java; Pasir Putih in East Java; Bukari in South East Sulawesi; the western part of West Java; Ratu boko in Sleman and Solo Kasunanan Palace in Central Java.
In facing the globalization era and to improve the regional and sub-regional economic endurance, a closer cooperation program in the tourism sector has also been implemented with several ASEAN countries, such as the Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore - Growth triangle (IMS-GI), Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Growth-triangle (IMT-GT) and Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) on marketing and promotion of tourist package programs, promoting tourist marketing between the member countries, accommodating and mobilizing private investment in the field of tourism.
In fiscal year 1997/98, the new accommodation capacity was 31,953 rooms. The number of rooms available until 1997/98 was 185,136 rooms consisting of 81,997 rooms in star-rated hotels and 103,136 rooms in non-star hotels. At the same time, the application of information technology in the field of tourism has also been continued in 47 international hotel chain networks and 16 national hotels chain networks.
The number of travel bureaus in fiscal year 1997/98 also increased to 2,631 with 721 tour leaders reached 721 and 9,365 tour guides.
