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