The number of tourist arrivals increased significantly ..."Kendari (ANTARA News) - The economic growth of Wakatobi regency, Southeast Sulawesi province, reached more than nine percent in 2015.
Wakatobis growing economy was followed by a decrease in poverty rate from 16 percent to 14 percent, Wakatobi Regent Hugua noted here on Sunday.
"We were constantly striving to reduce the number of poor in Wakatobi to 14 percent of the total population of 114 thousand people this year," he stated.
Wakatobi recorded an average annual economic growth of over nine percent after it became a popular destination frequented by several foreign and local tourists.
"The number of tourist arrivals increased significantly after the Matahora airport became operational in 2009," Hugua explained.
Before the airport became operational, the number of tourists visiting Wakatobi was only 1.5 thousand people per year.
In 2015, tourist arrivals in Wakatobi reached 17 thousand, or an increase of two thousand people compared to 2014.
(Reported by Agus/Uu.INE/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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