Tourists in NTB tricked by unregulated travel agencies

KBR68H, Mataram - A number of unregulated travel agencies or travel agents are often harmful to tourists traveling to Lombok - Sumbawa. Travel agencies that do not carry out their duties with professionalism must be immediately disciplined to maintain the positive image of NTB tourism.

Secretary of Commission II (Tourism Area) Parliament NTB, Mori Hanafi, said unregulated agency practices that harm tourists advertise packages that do not correspond to reality. Travelers are promised placement in a five star hotel. After arriving in Lombok, they are not placed at a five star hotel, but in a three-star hotel, and even zero-star hotels.

He said tourist agencies should enroll in an association that has been recognized by the government such as the Indonesian Travel Association (ASITA) NTB, which has a current membership of around 141 travel agents. To regulate travel agencies, there is a need for a local ordinance (Regulation).  However, designing regulations takes a long time. The preparation alone can take about six months.

"We have already reviewed regional legislative programs (prolegda), and it is impossible to undertake a regulation on tourist travel this year.  That is why it is important to quickly form regulation." said Mori Hanafi.

Therefore, before any regulations governing the matters related to travel agents are made, the governor requires an ordinance (regulation) published in a relatively short period of time.

Mori said many tourists are successfully tricked by unregulated travel agencies. This will have an impact on the region_s reputation. "There are many people who do not report incidents to the police. But once outside the country, they will relay their experiences to the NTB. This will certainly damage the image of NTB as a leading destination._ he said.