Indonesia Tourism Will Get Obama Boost, Minister Says

Jakarta Globe, Farouk Arnaz & Ulma Haryanto, February 03, 2010

A statue of President Barack Obama, at the age of 10, in Taman Menteng. (Photo: Adek Berry, AFP)

Although he left as an little boy, Barack Obama’s much-heralded return to Indonesia as US president in March will be a boon for the country’s tourism industry, according to Tourism Minister Jero Wacik.

“If he comes to Indonesia, people will think that the country is safe and they will come here,” he was quoted as saying late on Tuesday by tempointeraktif.com.

The nation’s tourism figures have been slowly creeping upward — there were 6.45 million foreign visitors in 2009, an increase of 0.8 percent from 2008 — mostly thanks to visitors to Bali.

However, the tourism sector still pales in comparison to neighbors such as Malaysia, which had more than 23 million visitors last year.

Sapta Nirwandar, head of marketing at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said Obama’s visit would generate positive media coverage given that he is the world’s most-recognized leader.

“He has an historical background with Indonesia and his visit will bring positive impacts to businesses and tourism,” he said. “Media from all over the world will be focusing on our country and we should take this chance to improve our image. We should show them that Indonesia is and safe.”

During his state visit, Obama and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will formally launch the US-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, an initiative by which the nations will broaden and strengthen relations to tackle regional and global issues.

Obama, who lived in Jakarta for almost four years as a child, will be accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Malia and Sasha.

The National Police Intelligence Directorate said on Wednesday that domestic security for the Obama visit would be handled by the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), with back up by the police.

“For VVIP security I will not talk much. But clearly the operation to secure President Obama is the main responsibility of the Army,” intelligence chief Insp. Gen. Saleh Saaf told reporters.

He said a special operation, called wastikia, is commonly put into action for important foreign visitors. “The same operation was also held when former US President George W. Bush came here [in 2006],” he said.

Asked about coordination with the US Secret Service, which protects American presidents, Saaf said, “we have cooperation between officials and their security. There must be coordination with them.”