Washington lifts travel warning

Lilian Budianto , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 05/26/2008 10:19 AM | Headlines

Jakarta has welcomed Washington's move to lift its warning against travel in Indonesia following significant improvements in the country's security situation.

In praising the U.S. move, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said Sunday the tourism sector would enjoy a significant boost this year, which has been designated Visit Indonesia Year.

Canceling the warning will not only boost the number of American visitors but also encourage tourists from all over the world to visit the archipelago, Jero told The Jakarta Post.

"Tourists and businesspeople around the world will feel safe coming here because they can see that the United States itself has acknowledged the improved security situation here," Jero said.

The United States placed a travel warning on Indonesia in 2000 following a series of terrorist attacks.

The 8-year-old warning has been lifted because the United States found the security climate had improved.

U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume said in a press release Sunday the cancellation of the travel warning was effective Friday.

Ambassador Hume said he hoped the travel warning cancellation would lead to greater personal ties between people in the two countries.

"More American businesspeople, tourists and scholars will now visit Indonesia to help expand trade, tourism and educational exchanges between the two countries," Hume said.

According to data released by the Central Statistics Agency, about 131,000 American tourists visited Indonesia in 2006 despite the warning.

The U.S. move has come during the Visit Indonesia 2008 campaign, which aims to attract 7 million foreign tourists and raise US$6.4 billion in income.

Indonesia was host to 5.51 million tourists in 2007.

Although praising the improved security in Indonesia, the U.S. Embassy has said it will not modify security precautions and urged public facilities in Indonesia to maintain their current high level of security, as threats remain.

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