However, the number of tourist arrivals this January fell by 9.92 per cent compared to December 2011, when the figure had reached 675,997, BPS Chief Suryamin said here on Thursday.
The number of tourists visiting Indonesia through the country`s 19 gateways in January this year grew by 20.5 per cent to 619,959 from 516,418 in January 2011, he said.
Among the 19 gateways, Sam Ratulangi airport in Manado, North Sulawesi, recorded the highest percentage of tourist arrivals with 74 per cent, followed by Tanjung Pinang with 53.76 per cent, Entikong with 41.11 per cent, and Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali with 19.87 per cent.
Compared to January 2011, the number of tourist arrivals this January via Sam Ratulangi increased to 1,872 from 1,050, in Tanjung Pinang to 9,524 from 6,194, in Entikong to 2,324 from 1,746 tourists and at Ngurah Rai Airport to 249,728 tourists from 208,337.
"Compared to December 2011, the number of tourist arrivals in Bali increased slightly by 0.56 per cent to 247,337," he said.
The agency also noted that the room occupancy rate of star-rated hotels in 20 of the country`s 33 provinces in January this year averaged 51.27 per cent, up by 0.80 points compared to January 2011 when it was 50.47 per cent.
However, this January the room occupancy rate dropped by 4.30 points compared to December 2011, the agency said.
On average, foreign tourists stayed at star-rated hotels for 2.03 days this January, down by 0.10 days from January 2011.
Suryamin said the decline in the number of tourist arrivals this January compared to December 2011 was caused by the seasonal factor, as December is in the peak season.
(T.R017/S012/INE/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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