Indonesia Determined to Reel In 150,000 Chinese Tourists in 2006

Indonesia hopes to attract 150,000 Chinese tourists in 2006. In 2005, the number of tourist visits projected to reach 100,000-mark.

“We have the target, next year 150,000 Chinese will make their trip to Indonesia,” the director for Overseas Promotion at the Culture and Tourism Ministry, Tatang Rukhyat said, according to Antara News. Tatang said, the number is a realistic target as the two nations have emotional link with many Indonesians having relatives in China.

“In addition, Indonesia had attractive tourism centers which could not be found in other competitor countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Every year, 23 million Chinese tourists visited tourism centers throughout the world with 20 percent of them came to ASEAN countries. In 2003, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Indonesia reached 49,000. The number has sharply increased to 81,000 people and as of October 2005 it numbered 85,000,” added the report.

Meanwhile, the head of Asia Promotion, Nia Niscaya said, promotion in China should be more focused and the frequency of road shows should be intensified especially in big cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing.

“With the packages, Chinese tourists who come to Singapore will be directed to continue their trips to Indonesia, not only to Bali and Jakarta but also other tourism centers in some provinces,” Mrs. Niscaya reportedly said.