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 vacationers to switch to Indonesia instead.<\/p>\n
The number of foreign tourists for the first 10 months rose 13 percent to 5.09 million, boosted by arrivals to Bali Province, but still well below the government\u2019s full-year target of 7 million visitors.
\nIn October, 529,391 foreign tourists visited Indonesia, up from 436,300 a year ago, and compared to 501,018 in June.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rise was partly because of the conflict in Thailand, so this is an opportunity for Indonesia,\u201d said Yanti Sukamdani, chairman of the Indonesian Hotel Association.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people changed their destination as security in Thailand is considered to be unsafe.\u201d
\nThe Thai government imposed emergency rule in early September following violent clashes between pro- and anti-government groups. More recently, the country\u2019s tourism industry has been hit by the occupation of Bangkok\u2019s Suvarnabhumi International Airport by anti-government protesters.<\/p>\n
Indonesia\u2019s 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 bombings in Bali and Jakarta, the 2004 tsunami and bird flu.<\/p>\n
Reuters<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tourism-up-on-thai-unrest-1228207185", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }