Indonesian trade welcome US move
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The Indonesian travel industry has welcomed the US Government’s lifting of its long-standing travel advisory warning US citizens about travel to Indonesia.
While local PATA members do not expect a sudden surge in North American arrivals, due largely to the absence of direct airlinks, they recognise the positive impact it will have on the destination’s global image and hope it will encourage other governments to review their advisories on Indonesia.
President Pan Travel, Elly Hutabarat (pictured), said that although traffic from the US had never been heavy, the boost to the country’s reputation would be enormous.
“Individual travellers were less affected by the US advisory but conferences and student trips were. Many cancelled trips to Indonesia as a result.”
Indonesian Marine Tourism Association President Feisol Hashim says the decision is significant because American travellers will now find it much easier to get travel insurance for trips to Indonesia.
“It’s now up to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the private sector to seize the opportunity by working together to penetrate the huge US market,” he said.
PT Indo Multi Media’s Alistair Speirs said without improved air links, the immediate impact would be negligible. Bali Discovery Tours’ John Daniels said that US arrivals had been steadily improving and would be boosted further by this good news.
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