(12/24/2007)
Tempo Interaktif reports that the United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Bali December 3-1, 2007 garnered at least Rp. 500 billion (US$52.6 million) in accommodation and meeting facilities revenues for the Island.
That figure has been suggested by Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, who said, "assume that the room rent alone for 10,000 delegates for only one week can generate Rp. 300 billion (US$31.6 million)."
Minister Wacik also pointed out to the press that perhaps the biggest profit generated by the UNFCCC was not in the revenues the conference generated but the publicity produced for Bali by the event. Said Wacik: "Every day the name of Bali was mentioned by the international media. This kind of promotion can't be bought."
The Power of Positive Thinking
The Indonesian Minister charged with tourism affairs and famous for urging that the tourism sector adopt a more optimistic attitude, said he is confident the Visit Indonesia Year 2008 (VIY 2008) will successfully recruit 7 million foreign tourists in 2008, despite a modest increase of only Rp. 50 billion (US$5.3 million) over the Rp. 150 billion (US$15.8 million) allocated for tourism promotion in 2007.
Despite limited promotional funds, Wacik said VIY 2008 targets can be reached if the security and safety situation in Bali remains undisturbed.
The Minister also discounted the impact of the continuing EU blacklisting of Indonesian aviation. Wacik said the impact of the ban was minimal due to the large number of foreign air carriers flying to Indonesia.
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