INCCA Urges Government to Increase Visa-Free Countries

Jakarta, Jan 19 (Antara) - Central Executive Board Chairman of the Indonesia Congress and Convention Association (INCCA) Alan Iqbal Abdullah urged the government to increase the number of countries whose citizens are allowed visa-free travel to Indonesia for short visits. "We propose to increase the number of visa-free countries. There are five countries: the UK, the Netherlands, France, the United States, and Germany," Iqbal stated after a hearing with Commission X here on Monday. Those countries have historical links with Indonesia, noted Iqbal. "They come to Indonesia because they have a historical relationship," he pointed out. The increase in the number of visa-free countries was needed to achieve the target of 20 million foreign visitors. Earlier, the government had provided visa-free facility to the citizens of China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Australia. These countries were selected as they were the main markets of Indonesian tourism. "Visa-free travel for Russians has not had a significant effect because the country is going through an economic crisis," he explained. The visa-free facility is necessary as tourist arrivals were from the top 15 countries with the highest per capita income, Iqbal stated. Member of Commission X Jefri Riwu Kore said the government should prepare the necessary infrastructure to anticipate the increase of foreign visitors. "The infrastructure must be prepared. So, we need a synergy with the local government in terms of infrastructure," he added. "Then, we will talk about increasing the number of visa-free countries," Jefri added.