Olympic Torch Could Have Promote VIY 2008

Jakarta, Kominfo Newsroom -– The Olympic torch rally, which will go past Indonesia April 22, 2008 on its way to Beijing from Olympia, Greece, is part of the Visit Indonesia Year (VIY) 2008 program.

''The 2008 Beijing Olympic torch rally could help promote our VIY 2008 campaign,'' said Tourism and Culture Minister Jero Wacik here Monday (21/4).

Sports is also a part of tourism and at the rally, as such, Bajidor, a dance from West Java and a Reog number from Ponorogo, will be performed.

At the rally, Miss Indonesia 2007 Raemawasti will flash VIY 2008 banners of various types and sizes. ''Also, there will be promotion kits like pins, t-shirts and VIY booklets,'' he said.

The fact that Jakarta has been selected as one of world cities through which the Olympic torch passes will convince the international community that Indonesia is a safe place to visit.

Wacik said that the Olympic torch rally in Jakarta might at least attract, 500 thousand tourists from overseas to visit Indonesia.

That’s why the ministry sent a number of promotion teams to China long before the Olympic torch goes past Jakarta.

''When I headed a cultural mission to China, a number of people were touched at seeing becaks (typical Indonesian trishaws) and Indonesian dances. This must have look like nostalgia to them,'' said the minister.

Wacik himself will join the rally to Beijing. He will be in the company of the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, the State Minister for Sports and Youth, and the chairman of the Central KONI (Indonesian National Sports Committee),

A total of 2,500 policemen will be in charge of security during the rally, said general chairman of the Central KONI Rita Subowo.

This is to prevent unwanted events while the rally proceeds. In some cities there were demonstrations by people who do not want the Olympics to be held in China, she said.

''The rally is an arena of peace and it has to be protected and kept secure,'' Subowo said. (T.gro/id/myg/ton)