JAKARTA (indo.com): A US Embassy spokesperson recently told indo.com that the security situation in Indonesia had improved. The Department of State said in its website dated Nov. 23, 2001 that it warns U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Indonesia. However, Bali is excluded from Indonesia's travel warning.

"The travel warning is always updated. It may change anytime ...," said the spokesperson. "Please always keep an eye on the website," he added.

The US Embassy spokesperson made the remarks when asked to confirm a news report on the U.S. administration's change in policy regarding Indonesia's travel warning.

Reports said earlier that the U.S. administration's move to lift the travel warning for Indonesia will provide a ray of hope in the development of Indonesia's tourism industry, battered by the significant drop in the number of tourists from US and European countries following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the USA.

Baiq Rosa, who chairs the Lombok-Sumbawa Promotion Program, responded to the news report by saying that the US administration's change in policy pins hope for the tourism industry in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) to develop. "This proves that Indonesia still represents a major tourism destination," he was quoted by M-Web Travel as saying.

Several European countries that issued a travel warnings for Indonesia are expected to follow the suit, further aiding recovery of the tourism sector.

He said that efforts are underway to promote NTB tourism to several European and Asia Pacific countries in addition to participating in various promotional activities in international markets. He added that the West Nusa Tenggara Province has recently launched promotional programs in Great Britain.

He conceded that the September 11 terrorist attacks had seriously affected the tourism industry in Indonesia, and that the industry was in the doldrums. The stagnation of the tourism industry has left the future of many people whose lives rely on the sector uncertain. Cancellations of orders have drastically affected the local handicraft industry.

Travel cancellations have also sharply reduced hotel bookings, though the sector has been buoyed to some extent by visitors from within Asia. Hoteliers have been forced to make shrewd business decisions to survive the lull in visitors.

"We all hope that the gloomy situation soon passes and locals continue to maintain security in their respective areas," he concluded.