THE recent political tension between Indonesia and Australia over the tapping of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s phone conversation with the First Lady has not impacted tourist traffic between the two countries, according to trade sources.
Indonesia’s minister of tourism and creative economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, said: “We have not seen any impact so far. Arrivals from Australia are as usual and we have not heard of any cancellations due to the issue.”
Meanwhile, Indonesian outbound traffic to Australia is also reported to be intact.
Elok Tour managing director, Pauline Suharno, said: “The (Christmas and New Year) holiday packages were sold and payments finalised when the issue came up. So far, we have not had any cancellation.”
Similarly, Australia Centre director, Rudy Prasetyadi, said: “We have not seen any negative response for travel to Australia, but then, Australia is not at the top of Indonesians’ list as a year-end holiday destination, so the number of travellers is not big.
“In December, hotels in Australia are expensive. In Sydney, for example, hotels require a minimum stay of three nights during the year-end period. This causes high tour prices. Besides, it is summer in Australia.”
The busy season for outbound to Australia is during the June-July school holidays and Lebaran, Indonesia’s biggest holiday season.
