Jakarta has potential to become culinary destination: Observers

Jakarta - With new restaurants opening on a regular basis in the capital, dining options for Jakartans are certainly not limited.

But is Jakarta on its way to becoming a world-class culinary destination?

Petty Elliott, a food columnist with Jakarta Java Kini, said the city was ready to become a culinary destination as it offered a wide variety of food choices. However, she said before Jakarta could step onto the world culinary stage, attention would need to be paid to health and sanitation at food outlets.

"If Jakarta wants to become a world-class culinary destination, the city administration must have a food safety agency," Petty said, adding that even local canned food in supermarkets rarely displayed health information.

Noted culinary expert William Wongso said the city administration should organize events to promote Indonesia`s culinary traditions.

"Jakarta is lagging behind in culinary tourism. We would not have to organize a huge event like the Hong Kong Food Fest or the Singapore World Gourmet Summit. A small event may be enough to encourage expatriates living in Jakarta to try local food," he said.

He said aside from improving food health and safety standards, Jakarta should also improve its image as a safe city. He said he knew several expatriates who had been living in Jakarta for a long time but had never tried local food.

"Most expatriates try local food when their Indonesian friends invite them somewhere. Each person has a different pattern when it comes to trying food.

"Most Americans are careful about eating new types of food and Europeans are open to some new experiences. But Australians are the most adventurous people when it comes to food," he said at the launch of a food guidebook in January.

William said food guidebooks were a way to introduce expatriates to good food in the city. However, he said writing such books was not an easy task as people`s tastes varied.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry reported in 2006 that tourists spent around 15.1 percent of their budgets on food and beverages. On average, the ministry estimates that a foreign tourist in Indonesia spends approximately US$100 per day.

The city administration aimed at attracting 14.5 million domestic and foreign tourists to the capital in 2007. Of that figure, it was hoped 1.5 million visitors would be foreigners.

In 2006, 1.26 million foreign tourists and 12.5 million domestic tourists visited Jakarta.

The culinary sector is the second highest contributor to regional income after automotive tax. In 2006, the culinary sector contributed Rp 1.72 trillion to the region, with Rp 473 billion coming from hotel tax, Rp 427 billion from restaurant tax and Rp 168 billion from entertainment tax.

Source: www.thejakartapost.com (14 Februari 2008)
-

Arsip Blog

Recent Posts