"In 2019, the number of Chinese tourists to North Sumatra reached 8,916, up from 8,654 in 2018. In early 2020, the figure is believed to be going down," Nasution stated here on Wednesday.
The Indonesian government has decided to temporarily suspend flights to and from China from February 5, 2020.
Based on data of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), in 2019, the total number of foreign tourists visiting North Sumatra had reached 260,311, a 10.17-percent increase from a year earlier.
"Although the number of Malaysian and Singaporean tourists dropped, in total, the number of tourists visiting North Sumatra in 2019 surged," he stated.
Luas Pingkir Tambunan, duty manager of the Kualanamu Airport, stated that the airport has adhered to government regulations to suspend flights to and from China.
PT Angkasa Pura II, the operator of Kualanamu Airport, also tightened the supervision of foreign tourists entering North Sumatra, he stated.
"Angkasa Pura II Kualanamu Airport has also installed a thermal scanner at the international arrival terminal to detect those suspected to be infected with the coronavirus," he stated. Related news: Indonesian travel agent to return 174 Chinese tourists
Related news: Some 10 thousand Chinese tourists cancel Bali trips
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Evalisa Siregar, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
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