TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Tourism Minister Mari Elka Pengestu said the tourism industry had a strong potential to become a national economic security belt during the global crisis. This year, growth in the tourism sector is around 8.5 percent, far above estimated rates of global growth. “Besides the domestic consumption market, the tourism sector could be a security because both are not prone to crisis,” she said yesterday. Mari said the data released by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for 15 months in 2008 – 2009 cited that the tourism sector experienced negative growth. Last year, however, the sector grew by 6.6 percent. The organization also estimated the tourism sector next year would be smaller than the previous year due to the slowing global economy. Nevertheless, Indonesia has experienced a higher growth because it attracts international tourists. Indonesia’s tourism potential also includes heritage sites. The World Economic Forum placed Indonesia 39th out of 139 countries in its cultural heritage category. ARIF ARIANTO