The father of Indonesia modern tourism died

BANGKOK - He looked physically like a giant, with his size probably reaching 1m90, his voice was cavernous and the style flamboyant. Joop Ave, Indonesia Minister of Tourism during the nineties -in the final decade of Dictator Suharto- was indeed a strong personality. Although he quitted the function of a Minister with the end of the Suharto era, he continued to serve as a reference for the tourism trade in Indonesia. At Indonesia’s travel show PASAR Wisata-TIME last year in Padang, some travel executives were still evocating his time with nostalgy. They described it as an era of opulence for Indonesia’s tourism.

Called in 1993 as the new Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication, he was already since 1982 head of Indonesia department of tourism. During his time, Indonesia tourism grew from a million to 4.5 million foreign travellers. The man generated also controversies. Once he quitted the Ministry of Tourism, many stories circulated about his own fortune, fed by many rumours.

Notwithstanding his own fortune, the man showed a true love for his country and his culture. Born in Yogyakarta from a family who counted some Dutch ancestors, Ave has been a relentless promoter of Indonesia and his culture. Once he retired, he published many books about Indonesian art and craft, batik and also about the royal courts of Central Java and helped protecting Indonesia heritage. He will certainly be remembered by the travel and culture community for that commitment.

He also served at PATA Board of Directors and was also chairman of ASEAN Sub-Committee for tourism. Ave died in a hospital in Singapore on February 5, 2014, after a long illness at age 79. His body was flown yesterday to Bali. A cremation which will take place this Saturday in presence of the current Indonesia Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Mari Pangestu.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews