Australians to visit West Sumatra

Australians to visit West Sumatra

PADANG, West Sumatra: Despite the heightened security in the
country following the Bali bombing, around 100 Australian
tourists are not going to cancel their travel plans to the
province.

Indonesian Travel Agents' Association (Asita) chairman in West
Sumatra, Asnawi Bahar, said on Tuesday that the group of
Australian tourists would come later this month.

"They will stay on Mentawai island for two weeks for a holiday
and to enjoy the surfing there," Asnawi said

He admitted, however, that a number of foreign tourists had
cut short their visits to the province following Saturday's
blasts in Bali.

There were some 300 foreigners vacationing in the province,
mostly in Mentawai and Bukittinggi, Asnawi said.

Mentawai has become a favorite surfing destination for foreign
tourists, mostly Australians. The surfing season lasts from May
to October.

Asnawi said Asita in West Sumatra had asked the local
administration to step up security measures following the bomb
attacks in Bali which left over 180 people killed. -- JP