The Alcoholic Beverage Bill Is Considered To Be Detrimental To The Tourism Industry

Ilustrasi. (Photo: Beergembira)

JAKARTA - The Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI) considers that the Draft Bill on the Prohibition of Alcoholic Drinks will have a negative impact on the tourism industry.

"If it is passed, we are worried that Indonesia's face in the eyes of the world will change, we certainly have to be friendly to tourists. This will bring a less positive image," said Head of Inter-Institutional Relations, Bambang Britono, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, November 17.

The bill, he continued, became a hot topic of conversation at home and abroad. In fact, alcoholic drinks are strictly regulated, starting from the investment to the movement of goods, which must use documents.

"This industry is very regulated, hotels and cafes that sell alcoholic drinks must also follow the regulations. So it cannot be like selling mineral water, if there is such a thing as deviant the sanctions are heavy," he said.

According to him, if the bill is passed, the national tourism industry will worsen. "Currently the tourism business is slumping due to the pandemic, we should need a positive image in the eyes of the world," he said.

The same thing was said by PHRI Chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani. He considered that the Bill on the Prohibition of Alcoholic Drinks would have a bad impact on Indonesian tourism. He hopes that most factions can refuse to discuss further the draft regulation.

"The title alone is provocative, a ban. This becomes very connotative, it will actually have a negative impact. And we hope that the majority of the factions will later reject the deliberation process of the bill," he said.