First half tourist arrivals rise 34.64%<\/p>\n
The number of tourist arrivals in the country during the first
\nhalf of this year increased by 34.64 percent compared to the same
\nperiod last year, giving optimism that the government target of 5
\nmillion arrivals this year could be achieved.<\/p>\n
The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Monday that
\nforeign visitors in the January-June period reached 2.13 million
\ncompared to 1.58 million in the same period of 2003.<\/p>\n
Tourist arrivals in the country have been increasing since the
\nstart of the year after a host of negative news hit the industry.<\/p>\n
Analysts had previously warned that the tourist sector would
\nbe negatively affected by the introduction of a tighter visa
\npolicy in February of this year and rising security problems in
\nthe election year. However, the election process has gone
\nsmoothly so far. Indonesians are now preparing for the runoff in
\nSeptember.<\/p>\n
Tourist arrivals plunged to 4.4 million in 2003 from around 5
\nmillion in the previous year mainly due to the Bali bombing in
\nthe latter part of 2002 and the Marriott bombing in August last
\nyear. The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in
\nthe region also worsened the situation.<\/p>\n
Tourism is one of the main sources of foreign exchange
\nrevenue.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, BPS said that hotel occupancy rates in 10 major
\ntourist destinations in the country increased in May to 45.93
\npercent from 43.56 percent in April. But the occupancy rate in
\nBali declined in May to 51.01 percent from 53.46 percent in
\nApril.<\/p>\n
The average stay of foreign tourists in May also declined to
\n2.08 days from 2.18 days, BPS said. -- JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/first-half-tourist-arrivals-rise-3464-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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