Indonesia is growing leaps and bounds. Jakarta, its largest commercial and political capital is transforming itself into an ultra-modern city.
If not for the currency devaluation blip in the year 1991, Indonesia would have been one of the most advanced countries in the Asia Pacific region. Nevertheless, now they are doing a catch up and in a grand way.
Now Indonesia a trillion dollar economy.
If not for the currency devaluation blip in the year 1991, Indonesia would have been one of the most advanced countries in the Asia Pacific region. Nevertheless, now they are doing a catch up and in a grand way.
Now Indonesia a trillion dollar economy.
In my recent visit last week, I was quite impressed at the simple arithmetics of their Visa On Arrival (VOA) facility.
Indonesia offers VOA for visitors all major countries in the world. Each visitor is asked to pay USD 25 or equivalent in major currencies or in Indonesian Rupiah.
The foreign tourist arrivals (from Indonesia's statistical website) into Indonesia:
Year 2010 - 7,002,944
Year 2011 approx - 7,800,000
A simple calculation of 7,800,000 multiplied by USD 25 is - USD 195 million.
Now shifting the focus to India -
foreign tourist arrivals in 2010 (from tourism.gov.in) - 10 million.
If we apply this simple VOA of USD 25 per tourist, VOA receipts would be - USD 250 million or a quarter Billion USD (or Rupees 1,250 crores!).
Doesn't it sound simple? All that we need is to create separate VOA counters, with smart intelligent customer friendly officers with pleasant behaviour. Simple forms, currency exchange and photograph booths.
If any of the government officers in the related fields are reading this blog, please take this suggestion seriously. USD 250 million per annum, which keeps growing is not small money.
Keen to hear views, feedback, comments from the readers of this blog.
