Indonesia’s Oct tourist arrivals up 21 pct from yr ago
December 2nd, 2008
Foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia rose 21 percent in October from a year ago, according to data released on Monday, as security fears in Thailand prompted some holidaymakers to switch to Indonesia instead.
The number of foreign tourists for the first 10 months rose 13 percent to 5.09 million, boosted by arrivals to the resort island of Bali, but still well below the government’s full-year target of 7 million visitors.
In October, 529,391 foreign tourists visited Indonesia, up from 436,300 a year ago, and compared to 501,018 in June.
‘The rise was partly because of conflict in Thailand, so this is an opportunity for Indonesia,’ said Yanti Sukamdani, Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel Association.
‘Many people changed their destination as security in Thailand is considered to be unsafe.’
The Thai government imposed emergency rule in early September following violent clashes between pro- and anti-government groups. More recently, the tourism industry has been hit by the occupation of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport by anti-government protesters.
Indonesia’s attractions range from rainforests and beaches to volcanoes and ancient temples.
Tourism accounts for 5 percent of gross domestic product, and was severely hit by bomb attacks in Bali and Jakarta, the tsunami in 2004, and outbreaks of bird flu.
(Reporting by Adriana Nina Kusuma, writing by Andreas Ismar; Editing by Sara Webb) Keywords: INDONESIA ECONOMY/TOURISM
(ga.arka@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: ga.arka.reuters.com@reuters.net; +62 21 384 6364 ext 911)
Source: http://www.lse.co.uk/
Entry Filed under: World Tourism News
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