Manado, N Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Australian Consul General to Indonesia Richard Mathews is interested in promoting Manado, North Sulawesi Province, as a tourist destination and is keen to bring Australian travelers to the city.

Vice Mayor of Manado Mor Dominus Bastiaan stated here on Friday that the scenic views of Manado and the friendly people had impressed him.

"The Consul General is so pleased with the friendly and open nature of the locals who want to invite Australians to make Manado a main tourist destination," he noted.

In addition, Bastiaan remarked that the Australians are also drawn to Manados cultural diversity.

Bastiaan expressed hope that in future, cooperation would be forged between Manado and one of the Australian cities that have similar geographical and cultural aspects.

Since the launch of a tourism promotion initiative called "Pesona Manado," or "the Charming Manado," the city administration is aggressively promoting and inviting both local and foreign tourists to visit Manado.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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