The figure of 18 million visits is a revision from the previous target of 20 million foreign tourists.
"The number of foreign tourists visiting was recorded at 16.11 million in 2019 as compared to 15.81 million visits in 2018, or a slight increase of 1.82 percent. Hence, we yet have homework to do to boost the arrival of foreign tourists to Indonesia," BPS head Suhariyanto noted in Jakarta, on Monday.
The number of foreign tourist arrivals comprise visitors coming in through the airport entrance, reaching 9.83 million; 4.16 million via seaport entrances; and 2.11 million by road, he remarked.
In 2019, the highest percentage increase of 14.16 percent was recorded in the number of foreign tourists coming from the US region as compared to that recorded during the corresponding period in the previous year, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, foreign tourist arrivals from the Asian region clocked the largest percentage drop of 10.3 percent.
Meanwhile, most foreign tourists visiting Indonesia in 2019 were from Malaysia, with 2.98 million visits, or 18.51 percent; followed by China, 2.07 million visits, or 12.86 percent; Singapore, 1.93 million visits, or 12.01 percent; Australia, 1.39 million visits, or 8.61 percent; and Timor Leste, 1.18 thousand visits, or 7.32 percent.
Suhariyanto also remarked that the number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia in December 2019 had reached 1.38 million, or reduced by 2.03 percent, from 1.41 million visits in December 2018.
Meanwhile, the number of foreign tourists visiting in December 2019 rose by 7.52 percent, as compared to November 2019.
This figure comprises air travelers reaching 838.98 thousand visits; 388.50 thousand visits via sea entrances; and 149.59 thousand visits via land entrances, he stated. Related news: BPS estimates Indonesia received 16.3 million tourists in 2019
Related news: Indonesia received over 1.35 million foreign tourists in October 2019
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Reporter: Sella P, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Suharto
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