Captivating land proves irresistible to tourists

TOURISM TO INDONESIA slumped following the Bali bomb blasts in October 2002 and during last year's Sars outbreak, but visitor arrivals are now on the rise again.

Hong Kong travellers were among the visitors who pushed up arrivals in the country to 2.13 million for the first six months of this year, compared with 1.58 million over the same period last year.

Tourism is the country's second-largest foreign exchange earner after textiles in the non-oil and gas sector.

Travel stories about Indonesia in the local media have helped revive tourism. 'Some of the local stations in Hong Kong have done stories and we have received many inquiries from those,' said Dwatmaji Hanomanresi, consul for information at the Indonesian consulate.

The consulate also works closely with travel organisations to boost interest in the country and to promote tours there.

Mr Hanomanresi said a group of Hong Kong-based Indonesian domestic helpers who are skilled at Balinese dance and traditional bamboo dancing perform at venues around Hong Kong and Macau, further spreading the word.

But several western embassies in Jakarta, such as Australia and the United States, have issued warnings to their nationals to avoid Indonesia during the upcoming presidential election.

'The parliamentary elections in April went smoothly and there was no conflict, so we hope that will attract people back.' The presidential election is scheduled for September 20.

Most travellers from Hong Kong are attracted to Indonesia's pristine beaches, its culture and lower prices. Visitors typically head for Bali, Lombok, Bintan Island and Borobudur.

'We get couples, families and older travellers,' Mr Hanomanresi said. Most arrive in June, July and August or December and January on package tours.

The country's cultural diversity, handicrafts and about 300 ethnic groups offer refreshingly different experiences for Hong Kong tourists.

'Each island has its own culture,' he said.

Honeymooners and young couples usually gravitate to the romantic places of Bali or Lombok. According to Mr Hanomanresi, the latter is less crowded and offers more privacy. Lombok is also not far from Komodo Island, home to the fearsome Komodo dragons.

Bintan Island, a 45-minute ferry ride from Singapore, is a water sports resort known for its beaches and golf courses, while Borobudur on Java Island features a Buddhist temple in stepped-pyramid style that dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries.

Starting from December last year, Indonesia tightened its visa policy. For countries with reciprocal arrangements with Indonesia, visa-free travel is allowed for 30 days.

Twenty jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, fall into this category.

The new policy permits travellers from an additional 31 countries to obtain a visa on arrival for US$30.

Before the policy was introduced, the practice was to grant 60-day visas on arrival to tourists from 48 countries.