"We are optimistic the target could be achieved under the good condition in this early year," said the Head of TWCB Units Pujo Suwarno in Magelang, Wednesday.
He said the target of 2012 has been increased 15.3 percent from the number of visitors last year consisting of 2,116,116 people, including 1,949,592 domestic tourists and 166.524 foreign tourists.
Suwarno said although the target of 2011 had been reached, the number decreased from last year`s 2,436,817 tourists.
Last year`s decrease was an effect of Mount Merapi eruption that caused a huge damage on roads.
"Moreover, when the Pabelan Bridge (bridging Yogyakarta and Magelang region) was struck by cold lava, the impact of the damage was decreased," said Suwarno.
"Many tourists changed the destinations to other objects," he said further.
According to Suwarno, when the bridge was broken, the tourists had to be picked up from Yogyakarta in western area of the Pabelan Bridge.
"But now, in 2012, the bridge has been fixed, and we do not have any problems going to Borobudur Temple, both in main and alternative roads," he said.
Suwarno said, the tourism infrastructures should be increased, hence the tourists would be able stay longer in Magelang, Central Java.
(Uu.A060/H-NG/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
