Bali receives fewer tourists

JAKARTA (JP): The number of foreign tourists visiting Bali, the country's top tourist destination, fell 7.3 percent in the first four months of this year to 356,114 from 384,033 in the same period last year.

The head of the provincial tourist office I Nyoman Sugiri said in Denpasar yesterday that the fall was attributed to growing tension in the country's political atmosphere.

Nyoman was quoted by Antara as saying that recent tourist arrivals from the United States and Canada, Europe and neighboring countries was badly affected by the massive riots, looting and arson which rocked the country last month. (gis)