Archive for August 8th, 2007

Java Tourism Care

As has been extensively reported around the world, on Saturday, May 27 2006, at 05.55 am (WIB - Western Indonesia Time), Indonesia was struck by an earthquake in the Bantul region, 25 kms south of the historic cultural city of Yogyakarta in central Java. The earthquake measured 6.2 on the Richter scale and to date over 5000 people have been reported killed, 20,000 injured, and hundreds of thousands made homeless.

The earthquake destroyed several towns and many villages throughout the province of Yogyakarta (both city and province have the same name). It heavily affected Gunung Kidul regency, Yogyakarta city, Klaten regency, Kulon Progo regency, and Sleman regency among others.

Extensive physical and infrastructure damage also occurred to vital infrastructure such as telecommunication, electricity supply, and transportation links.

Tourism is a key economic sector for Yogyakarta, providing employment and income to thousands of people in the province, directly and indirectly. The Bantul region, for instance, where the earthquake did the most damage and where loss of life has been greatest, is home to hundreds of craft villages that make souvenirs, arts and crafts for the tourism sector.

Even before the earthquake struck, the local tourism economy had already

Prambanan Tample

started to be seriously affected in the last few weeks by the eruptions of Mt. Merapi; the volcano located 20 kms to the north of Yogyakarta city.

In response to the crisis to the tourism sector caused by the devastating earthquake, public and private tourism stakeholders in Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces have joined together under the patronage of the Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare, Mr. Aburizal Bakrie and the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jero Wacik to set up a voluntary organization, Java Crisis ” Tourism Media Centre.
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Their mission is to assist in the rescue, relief, rehabilitation and recovery of the people, companies, and organizations working in the tourism sector in both provinces and to keep the world informed as to the progress being made to return Yogyakarta to its normal status as an important cultural tourism destination, the heart of Javanese culture.
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Tourism is a multi-sectoral enterprise and as the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jero Wacik noted it will need the efforts and coordination of many government ministries working closely with the provincial authorities and the private sector to carry out this mission.

Taman Sari

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As rescue and relief turns into recovery, it will be vital for the people affected to have the employment and income generated by tourism in order for them to be able to stand on their own two feet and rebuild their lives with dignity.

Officially has operated 24 hour, Java Tourism Care with various programs. Participation in all kinds of form would be appreciated.

Source: http://www.my-indonesia.info/

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