22 countries join Merapi Walk

JAKARTA (JP): Twenty two country members of the International Marching League will send their teams to join the fifth Indonesian International Two Day Walk on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 at Kaliurang resort, located on the slopes of Mount Merapi, in Yogyakarta.

"Walkers from countries such as Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, and Finland participated in last year's event, this year we hope more will come," said the Marching League of Indonesia (PGJSI) vice president for foreign affairs, Soeprapto Boedjosastro, on Tuesday.

The two-day walk will cover about 40 kilometers with walkers expecting to travel 20 kilometers a day.

Minister of Culture and Tourism I Gede Ardika welcomed PGJSI's program that was expected to boost tourist interest to Indonesia and invigorate tour packages for domestic tourists.

"This is also in line with the government's plan to develop community based tourism in which villages play an important part," he said. (tnt)