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Denpasar (ANTARA News) - The Association of Indonesia Tourist Guides (HPI) suggested President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono separate tourism and culture in different ministries in his next five-year cabinet.

"The tourism ministry needs to operate independently, and cultural affairs could be included in the ministry of education," head of HPI central executive board Nyoman Kandia said here on Thursday.

Kandia who also acts as the World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations executive board member, considered that a separate ministry would give more room for the development of tourism.

So the minister responsible towards national tourism development may increase quality and boost foreign exchange numbers maximally, with spectacular innovation, Kandia told.

"Besides, the budget received by the ministry of tourism could be focused on Indonesian tourism promotion in the international market," he said.

"The culture and tourism ministry received a budget allocation of 6 quintillion rupiah, in which 3 quintillion was spent on cultural affairs, while the rest on tourism," Kandia said.

However, the budget for culture is for social purposes, namely cultural innovation and protection.

"It is different with business oriented in tourism affairs, so that the budget may earn foreign exchange as much as possible from foreign tourists visiting Indonesia," Kandia said.

The more international tourists visiting Indonesia, the more we will gain foreign exchange revenue, he said.

According to the World Economic Forum, Indonesia ranks No. 81 among 133 surveyed countries in the 2009 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index report.
While, Singapore ranked no.10, Malaysia remained no. 32, Thailand and India slightly raised to 39 and 62 respectively, and Brunei no. 69.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli

COPYRIGHT © 2009

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