"According to data from the BPS (Central Bureau of Statistics), the number of foreign tourist arrivals last year was 15.8 million. It would require a huge increase from 15.8 (million) to 20 (million). Hence, this year's target has been revised to some 18 million," Esthy Reko Astuti, expert staff of the Tourism Ministry in charge of the Management of the Calendar of Events, said here on Monday.
Several unpredictable circumstances such as natural disasters have affected the arrivals of foreign tourists, she said.
The Tourism Ministry has intensified the role of the Tourist Information Center (TIC) and coordinated with various regional administrations to step up tourism promotion activities.
Tourism Minister, Arief Yahya, launched a Calendar of 100 Wonderful Indonesian Tourism Events in late 2018 to promote the country's tourism attractions and attract foreign tourists.
The Calendar of 100 Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Events is the initiative of President Joko Widodo to inform the world that the country has various events of international standards.
During the January-May 2019 period, Indonesia received 6.37 million foreign tourists, a 2.7 percent rise as compared to that during the corresponding period of the previous year.
In May 2019, the number of foreign tourists visiting the country had reached 1.256 million. Yahya is optimistic that at least 18 million foreign tourists would arrive in Indonesia this year.
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Translator: Fardah Assegaf
Editor: Eliswan Azly
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