"We will work hard to attract more tourists to this province this year," Marius pointed out.
He said in 2016, the island province recorded 882,395 visits by tourists including 112,433 visits by foreign tourists.
In 2017, the provincial administration is optimistic to see a 30 percent increase in the number of visits, he said.
He said the number of visits to tourist destinations in NTT is growing thanks to more intensive promotions by the tourism ministry.
He said the province would seek to host and organize more international events such as Tour de Timor to be held on the island of Timor.
In addition, the Tour de Flores, which was successfully held last year would be held annually, Soekarno Month festival would be held in June in Ende District, Flores and international kite festival would be held at Labuhan Bajo, also in Flores, he said.
"The series of international events would display tourism wealth and culture of the region to attract both domestic and foreign tourists," he said.
He said the regional administration has continued to seek coordination with the central government to open direct international flight to and from NTT to facilitate visits by foreign tourists.
He said NTT is expanding and modernizing seaport infrastructure for tourist boats cruisers and yachts to be completed this year.
The region hopes to see a strong growth in its tourism industry to be a major contributor to the regional income, he said.
Earlier a local lawmaker has said NTT needs direct international flights to back up its plan to boost its tourism industry.
Inosensius Fredi Mui of the commission II of the regional legislative body said there has been no direct international flights from and to NTT to facilitate transport of foreign tourism to the region.
He said the number of foreign tourists could easily increase provided that direct international flights are available from and to the region.
The province, which is made up of many small islands, is no less attractive than other tourist destinations in the country even in the world, he said, pointing to the Labuan Bajo just across the Komodo island, one of the world wonders with its ancient lizards.
"Bali is crowded with foreign tourists as the visitors to the resort island are facilitated with direct international flights," he said.
So far foreign tourists visited NTT only if they still have time or money left after visiting other areas in the country, he said.
"So far at best, we are only second in the itineraries of foreign tourists to the country," he said.
Another regional lawmaker Leonardus said tourism sector is highly potential in contribution to the regional income of the province.
NTT could contribute significantly to reaching the government target of attracting 20 million foreign tourists in 2019, Leonardus said. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
