Indonesia's closer relations with China are having a positive impact on the cultural and tourist sectors of both countries. The government's policy during the presidency of the late K.H. Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, which allowed Chinese-Indonesians to follow their culture, has strengthened the good relations and cooperation between both countries.
China, which has the largest population in the world and one of the most ancient populations, is certainly a potential market for Indonesian tourism. The long historical relations between the two countries and the presence of Chinese people here also cement the relationship further.
The obvious impact of Gus Dur's policy was evident in the appearance of traditional Chinese culture, such as the barongsai (lion dance), which was banned during the New Order regime. This cultural dance and many others have enriched local Indonesian culture.
"The Cultural and Tourism Ministry has set a target of 500,000 Chinese tourists for 2010. This figure is 25 percent higher than last year's, which was 400,000," said Nia Niscaya, director of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions at the ministry, recently.
This new target means, she continued, revenue of US$500 million for the country. "Because on average, the Chinese tourist spends $1,000 per visit," she said.
To reach the target, the government will arrange programs as well as participate in the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, which runs from May 1 through Oct. 31. The government will have a booth at the expo to introduce the country to the Chinese people, and to especially promote it to the northern Chinese.
Nia also said that the 2009 figure for Chinese tourists was up 13 percent compared to 2008.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik commented that the implementation of the ASEAN-China free market was not too favorable for the country's tourism because the increase in percentage would be minimal. He also said that last year, only between 300,000 and 400,000 Chinese tourists visited the country, which is fewer than the number of Japanese or Korean tourists that visited.
Ministry data show that the 2007 figure increased 48.96 percent from 2006. The 15 entry gates to Indonesia recorded 145,830 Chinese tourists in 2007.
The main destinations of Chinese tourists are: Jakarta (66.27 percent), Bali (19.28 percent), East Java (16.87 percent) and West Java (7.23 percent). Jakarta and Bali are top on the list because they offer more leisure and entertainment.
The main draws for Chinese tourists are: Holidaying, adventure activities, cultural shows or attractions/performances, beaches, museums, conventions and ecotourism.
The government has been and will keep aggressively promoting Indonesia in the Chinese media as well as inviting Chinese industrialists and businesspeople to manufacture their products here.
One of the tourist attractions for Chinese visiting Indonesia is temples, such as the great number of temples in Chinatown in Semarang, Central Java. Here there are Chinese temples on almost every corner. The temples of Semarang have great historical value, with each being unique in its own way.
There are 11 major Chinese temples in Semarang, with 10 of them located in the city's Chinatown, namely Siu Hok Bio, Hoo Hok Bio, Kong Tik Soe, Tay Kak Sie, Tong Pek Bio, Liong Hok Bio, Tek Hay Bio, Wie Wie Kiong, See Hoo Kong, and Grajen, Sam Poo Kong temple is located in Gedung Batu.
Sam Poo Kong temple is famous thanks to the legendary Admiral Cheng Ho. All kinds of people visit the temple, including Muslims. Admiral Cheng Ho was a Chinese Muslim who stopped in Semarang on one of his many voyages. The temple houses the helm and anchor of the ship he sailed on to Java in 1406.
Meanwhile, Siu Hok Bio is the oldest temple in the city's Chinatown. It was constructed in 1753 by Chinese residents in the Pecinan Lor area in Semarang to express their gratitude for the blessings received during Cap Kauw King. The temple has a relatively ancient door handle in the form of a ring and engraving over the entrance. (Simon A. Panggabean)
Sumber: http://www.thejakartapost.com
China, which has the largest population in the world and one of the most ancient populations, is certainly a potential market for Indonesian tourism. The long historical relations between the two countries and the presence of Chinese people here also cement the relationship further.
The obvious impact of Gus Dur's policy was evident in the appearance of traditional Chinese culture, such as the barongsai (lion dance), which was banned during the New Order regime. This cultural dance and many others have enriched local Indonesian culture.
"The Cultural and Tourism Ministry has set a target of 500,000 Chinese tourists for 2010. This figure is 25 percent higher than last year's, which was 400,000," said Nia Niscaya, director of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions at the ministry, recently.
This new target means, she continued, revenue of US$500 million for the country. "Because on average, the Chinese tourist spends $1,000 per visit," she said.
To reach the target, the government will arrange programs as well as participate in the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, which runs from May 1 through Oct. 31. The government will have a booth at the expo to introduce the country to the Chinese people, and to especially promote it to the northern Chinese.
Nia also said that the 2009 figure for Chinese tourists was up 13 percent compared to 2008.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik commented that the implementation of the ASEAN-China free market was not too favorable for the country's tourism because the increase in percentage would be minimal. He also said that last year, only between 300,000 and 400,000 Chinese tourists visited the country, which is fewer than the number of Japanese or Korean tourists that visited.
Ministry data show that the 2007 figure increased 48.96 percent from 2006. The 15 entry gates to Indonesia recorded 145,830 Chinese tourists in 2007.
The main destinations of Chinese tourists are: Jakarta (66.27 percent), Bali (19.28 percent), East Java (16.87 percent) and West Java (7.23 percent). Jakarta and Bali are top on the list because they offer more leisure and entertainment.
The main draws for Chinese tourists are: Holidaying, adventure activities, cultural shows or attractions/performances, beaches, museums, conventions and ecotourism.
The government has been and will keep aggressively promoting Indonesia in the Chinese media as well as inviting Chinese industrialists and businesspeople to manufacture their products here.
One of the tourist attractions for Chinese visiting Indonesia is temples, such as the great number of temples in Chinatown in Semarang, Central Java. Here there are Chinese temples on almost every corner. The temples of Semarang have great historical value, with each being unique in its own way.
There are 11 major Chinese temples in Semarang, with 10 of them located in the city's Chinatown, namely Siu Hok Bio, Hoo Hok Bio, Kong Tik Soe, Tay Kak Sie, Tong Pek Bio, Liong Hok Bio, Tek Hay Bio, Wie Wie Kiong, See Hoo Kong, and Grajen, Sam Poo Kong temple is located in Gedung Batu.
Sam Poo Kong temple is famous thanks to the legendary Admiral Cheng Ho. All kinds of people visit the temple, including Muslims. Admiral Cheng Ho was a Chinese Muslim who stopped in Semarang on one of his many voyages. The temple houses the helm and anchor of the ship he sailed on to Java in 1406.
Meanwhile, Siu Hok Bio is the oldest temple in the city's Chinatown. It was constructed in 1753 by Chinese residents in the Pecinan Lor area in Semarang to express their gratitude for the blessings received during Cap Kauw King. The temple has a relatively ancient door handle in the form of a ring and engraving over the entrance. (Simon A. Panggabean)
Sumber: http://www.thejakartapost.com
