Much unrealized ecotourism potential

Duncan Graham, The Jakarta Post

The forests of Kalimantan may be overexploited, but ecotourism is massively underdeveloped according to research by Lorna Dowson-Collins.

Malaysia now gets 10 per cent of its tourism revenue from folk in floppy hats and non-designer baggy shorts -- Indonesia around five per cent. Sabah alone attracts 1.7 million visitors a year.

Those who reckon slapping on mosquito repellant is a great way to pass time are generally members of the so-called "Silent Generation"', couples whose kids have long flown the nest.

In the West,professionals from this 55-plus age group are usually well-heeled, want to stay active and have no interest in hedonism and shopping malls.

Then there's the Baby Boomers, a generation younger and equally keen to get their feet wet. They also have purpose in pleasure,bringing the kids along because travel is educational.

It's a market that has yet to get serious attention from Indonesian tourism authorities.

-- Duncan Graham