No wonder many people prefer to use credit cards instead of money, especially those who enjoy doing the activity of traveling to various places. Because in addition considered more secure, some people also think that transact using credit cards is much more practical and convenient than using cash.
Based on data collected by Visa Indonesia Tourism Update, total spending with Visa cards by foreign tourists in Indonesia in 2005 reached Rp 5.6 trillion, up 20 percent over the previous year.
According to the Director, Corporate Relations, South and Southeast Asia, Visa International, Paul Wilke, in Indonesia, credit card holders in the Asia Pacific is the largest international consumer. The total transaction value of Asia-Pacific tourists in Indonesia reached Rp 2.9 trillion.
While the international consumer's second-largest in Indonesia, says Paul, is a card holder of the EU territory with a total expenditure of Rp 1.6 trillion. In the last year, Australia is a country that most spending in Indonesia.
"The Australian Visa cardholders spent Rp 910 billion or 16 percent of total spending by Visa International, which conducted the visitors in the territory of Indonesia," he explained.
While American visitors, he explained, is the second highest with a total consumer spending using Visa cards amounted to 85 million U.S. dollars. And Japanese consumers ranked third with total spending to 74 million U.S. dollars.
"Meanwhile, the card holder from China showed the highest growth in spending by 87 percent. Signifies the high interest of tourists and potential of the country," he said.
According to Visa Indonesia country manager, Ellyana C Fuad, in 2005 the number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia reached 5.5 million people. These visitors are actively contributing to the economy of Indonesia.
The average number of international transactions Visa cardholders in Indonesia in 2005, he continued, reaching USD 1.3 million. The amount is increased compared to 2004 which reached USD 1.2 million. "In 2005 the total number of transactions increased 9 percent over the previous year," added Ellyana.
Most transactions, he said, carried out at hotels reached 34 percent of total spending, with 852,000 transactions or U.S. $ 198 million. The second largest number of transactions occur in a restaurant with 433 000 transactions or to reach U.S. $ 36 million dollars or 6 percent of total spending in restaurants.
"In the retail category, the largest expenditure on male and female clothing, which accounted for Rp 138 billion. Then followed by art dealers and galleries that reached Rp 132 billion," he explained.
The biggest growth, said Ellyana, there are special products in stores where the store's women's spending amount increased by 160 percent, and in stores luggage and leather products which have increased up to 102 percent.
According to him, spending the international Visa cardholders in Indonesia, more on the main purpose of tourism and business sectors. Bali and Jakarta remains the region's largest tourist destination in Indonesia.
"Bali receives 47 percent or about U.S. $ 261 million of the total Visa spending by visitors in Indonesia. While Jakarta is the second largest tourist destination, with total spending reaching U.S. $ 186 million, or 33 percent of the total spending of visitors who use a Visa credit card , "he said.
While the total number of purchases using Visa cards in the area of Batam, continued Ellyana, reaching USD 118 billion or 2 percent of the to-tal Visa International inbound spending in Indonesia.
Ellyana said about 92 percent of spending by foreign tourists in Indonesia using Visa International in Bali, Jakarta, Batam, Bintan, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Medan, Balikpapan, and Lombok.
"Visa is committed to continuing to support Indonesia's tourism industry through an active partnership with the tourism business, the business travel industry and our business partner network in all parts of Indonesia," he said. [Y-6]
