Indonesian VP says OK to use women to attract Mideast tourists

August 28, 2006

In remarks that may draw the ire of Muslim leaders and women's activists, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has said it is acceptable to use Indonesian women to attract Middle Easterners to boost tourism, an English-language newspaper reported Thursday. ''The marketing needs a better campaign based on the visitor's appetite and segment,'' The Jakarta Post quoted Kalla as saying during a seminar on tourism promotion to Middle East countries.