Industry players in Indonesia who view security as an investment, not cost, are winning the hearts of corporate travel buyers, reports MIMI HUDOYO.

Security-consciousness in the government and private sector in Indonesia has been high ever since the country became a target of terrorist attacks.

At times the two clash, reflecting the tough decisions that must be made in balancing the need to safeguard the country, and the need to ensure it is done without strangling the business.

The recent implementation of new visa rules is a good example. The travel industry balked at it, saying charging visa fees would only hurt an already wounded industry. But the minister for justice and human rights, Mr Yusril Ihza Mahendra, stood his ground, saying the move was part of tightening security, to ensure “that those coming to the country using tourist and business visas are really tourists and business travellers”, he said.

Ever since the Bali bombing, the government has invested in new equipment at Indonesia’s major airports, such as in Jakarta and Bali.

Visitors to Indonesia, especially in the big cities, will find more stringent security checks at the airports and seaports, hotels, shopping complexes and tourist attractions. Customers are demanding this anyway.

As Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jakarta director of sales and marketing, Mr Norbert Vas, said: “When it comes to negotiating proposals with a large multinational company, never before in my whole hotel career have I seen such a drive towards security. People seem to be more interested to know what we are doing to protect their guests than how much we charge.”

Jakarta Hilton International chief of security, Mr Achmad Manday, said: “My team has become an important part of the sales and marketing team. In fact, many companies today want to see our security presentation before they talk to sales.”

After the Jakarta bombing in August last year, more steps were taken to improve security. Hotels, shopping complexes and other public facilities have bought new equipment and set aside a special budget to hire more security personnel. Some even produce special brochures on security and safety which used as part of the sales and marketing kit.

Mal Taman Anggrek Jakarta shopping complex retail manager, Mr Iwan Hadi, said: “Security has now become an investment and not cost anymore. We have never had a special budget for security before, but now we have to. Aside from our own security force of 270 personnel, we have an additional 200 (from external sources). During special occasions, such as Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Christmas, when we have a lot more shoppers, we get additional assistance from the police force.

“As the safety of our tenants and customers are very important, we don’t want to take chances, although it requires the customers’ patience and understanding to go through the car and baggage checks.”

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jakarta has invested to-date US$25,000 on security facilities and equipment, and spends an additional US$3,000 on security operational costs per month.

The hotel has installed two heavy iron gates to ensure that a clear run to the lobby area is not possible. A digital CCTV system with a motion detector recording device monitors all visitor activities, including at the car-checking point.

Lobby access is restricted to one entrance only, with two walk-through detectors outside the lobby. When there is a function in the hotel, one of these is moved to the ballroom entrance.

Security guards are posted at elevator banks to allow only registered guests to access the floors.

“We check all vehicles and guests, including well-known regulars to avoid giving any impression of inconsistency,” Mr Vas said.

The hotel has also chosen to be “low key” in public relations. It has stopped sending out press releases on VIP guest visits, for instance.

For its efforts, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jakarta received recognition from the Jakarta governor. Volume of business has also improved because of the security steps taken.

Mr Vas said: “In January 2004 we held nine security inspections for embassies and corporations planning to organise functions at our hotel and we passed them all.

“It’s been a lot of investment, but we have gained business because of it. Our volume of business has improved by at least 20 per cent (since the Jakarta bombing). We have clients from other hotels moving here, we have new clients, our function rooms are getting busier.”

For the Jakarta Hilton International, whose buildings are spread out on 13 hectares of land, security measures start at the fence and entrance gates, which are some 200m from the hotel building. All vehicles entering the vicinity are inspected. CCTV cameras identify people and vehicle movements at public places, and there are concrete barricades at all entrances.

Mr Mandey, who is a retired army officer, said: “We have also added security personnel and have regular contact with the local police.”

Mr Hadi, who looks after one of Jakarta’s biggest shopping complexes with a 100,000m2 leasing area, said: “Our atrium lobby is full the whole year-round with exhibitions, showing the confidence of both tenants, exhibitors and customers regarding Taman Anggrek.”

In Bali, Bali police chief, Mr Mangku Pastika, has presented 34 four and five star hotels with safety and security certificates. Twenty-nine received golden awards, while five received silvers. The three best hotels are Nikko Bali Resort and Spa, Four Seasons Resort Bali and Bali Cliff Resort.

The certificate was awarded after a three-month evaluation by the Bali police. It is valid for one year.

Criteria include the number of security personnel (at least 10 per cent of the total number of rooms), the standard of safety and security equipment, building condition (no more than 20 years old), crises management procedures and training.

Bali now has a special Tourism Police. Report shows some 80 tourism police officers are located in the major tourist areas such as Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua.

Tourist police are also backed by the beach police force, which patrols the Kuta beach area 24 hours daily.