ACCOLADES are pouring in for Joop Ave, Indonesia’s former minister of tourism, post and telecommunications, who passed away yesterday.
Ave died at the age of 79 after battling illness for the last few years.
Although he held the post of minister of tourism, post and telecommunications between 1993 and 1997, his dedication towards developing tourism in Indonesia began when he became director general of tourism in 1982.
Not only did Ave build up the country’s tourism industry to make it the top revenue generator in the 1990s, he was also instrumental in placing Indonesia on the international map through his involvement in various international organisations such as PATA and ICCA.
Iwata Nusantara Tours & Travel commissioner, Meity Robot, said: “Pak Joop introduced me to PATA and I became a member of PATA. He brought the organisation to the country and started the Indonesia Chapter.”
Former Indonesia Tourism Promotion Board (ITPB) chairman, Tuti Sunario, said: “He was always inspiring, motivational and a great team builder. He put together and led the government, private sector (and media) as a team in tourism development. ITPB, the government-private sector cooperation in tourism promotion, was his brainchild. Tourism Indonesia Mart and Expo, which still runs up to now, was also his idea.”
Ave is also credited with altering public perceptions of women in travel and was the patron of the Indonesian Women in Travel. Citra Netratama Tours and Travel president director, Herna Danuningrat, recalled: “In those days, society looked down on women working in the tourism industry as tourism was considered immoral. Pak Joop brought change.”
Panorama Group’s CEO, Budi Tirtawisata, said: “I have actually been following Pak Joop’s role in tourism since my father’s time, but really got a chance to meet and know him in person two years ago, when he attended and gave the keynote address at our annual management conference.
“He said Panorama should not be content by becoming a tiger in the country, but must become a regional or global player. This really inspired us and we decided to go global because of him.”
The wake begins this evening at Kerta Semadi Funeral Home, Jalan Kargo, Denpasar, Bali and the cremation will take place on Saturday at Mumbul. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 19.00 at Kerta Semadi.
