First half tourist arrivals rise 34.64%

The number of tourist arrivals in the country during the first half of this year increased by 34.64 percent compared to the same period last year, giving optimism that the government target of 5 million arrivals this year could be achieved.

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Monday that foreign visitors in the January-June period reached 2.13 million compared to 1.58 million in the same period of 2003.

Tourist arrivals in the country have been increasing since the start of the year after a host of negative news hit the industry.

Analysts had previously warned that the tourist sector would be negatively affected by the introduction of a tighter visa policy in February of this year and rising security problems in the election year. However, the election process has gone smoothly so far. Indonesians are now preparing for the runoff in September.

Tourist arrivals plunged to 4.4 million in 2003 from around 5 million in the previous year mainly due to the Bali bombing in the latter part of 2002 and the Marriott bombing in August last year. The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the region also worsened the situation.

Tourism is one of the main sources of foreign exchange revenue.

Elsewhere, BPS said that hotel occupancy rates in 10 major tourist destinations in the country increased in May to 45.93 percent from 43.56 percent in April. But the occupancy rate in Bali declined in May to 51.01 percent from 53.46 percent in April.

The average stay of foreign tourists in May also declined to 2.08 days from 2.18 days, BPS said. -- JP