The articles brought together in this special issue of the IIAS Newsletter are centered on the question of how people at the grassroots level in the Asia-Pacific region have responded to international tourism. In view of the widespread negative view of the potential impact of tourism on local cultures and societies, it is interesting that recently it has also been suggested that local people in popular tourist destinations should not be regarded simply as powerless victims of tourism, as many earlier studies have implied. Tourism world-wide is not infrequently characterized by situations in which the 'host' society has a great deal of control over tourism development, which enables local people to turn 'impacts' creatively into economic and cultural opportunities. In this special issue, too, the focus is on strategies that use the interest of tourists in local culture to strengthen local identity. After all, a striking characteristic of tourism is the way in which it promotes self-awareness, pride, self-confidence, and solidarity among people in host societies, as most of the contributions to this special issue demonstrate. 

[www.planetmole.org] The Yogyakarta tourism community has expressed optimism for improvement in the industry, despite various issues considered damaging, ranging from terrorism, natural disasters, aviation security and political ones. 

The most recent issues are the Australian travel warning against travel to Indonesia, and the European Union’s ban on Indonesian carriers.

The Ijen Plateau lies in the centre of the Ijen - Merapi - Maelang Reserve, which extends over much of the mountainous region to the west of Banyuwangi, bordering or, the Baluran National Park. A luminous blue/green crater lake which surface is streaked in wind-blown patterns of yellow sulphur lies at the far eastern end of the plateau and is without doubt one of the most impressive of East Java's natural wonders.

Plengkung is known as one of the best surfing beaches in the world. G-Land is an internationally renowned surfbreak situated in front of the Bay of Grajagan, East Java, about half a day by road from the popular tourist destinations of Bali

The word of “G” in “G-Land” derives from Grajagan, the name of the bay where the huge waves were found at the south of the Banyuwangi. It is surrounded by virgin tropical land forest. G lad offers the worlds most demanding surfing sport, and recommended for professional surfers only. May to October is the best time for surfing.