Makassar expects more tourists

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The province expects some 120,000 foreign tourists in 2001, representing a five percent increase compared to last year, and which would generate some US$750,000 in revenue.

"This year we estimate that each tourist would spend around $300 to $400 per day and that most of them would spend at least four days in the province," Provincial Tourist Agency chief Sjamsul Alam Mallarangeng said on Saturday.

He added that last year the province attracted less than 100,000 foreign tourists. Most were from the Netherlands, France, Germany and several Asian countries such as China and Japan.

"We will improve our service at popular recreational sites such as Tanatoraja and Taka Bonerate," he said, adding that they would also provide special packages to visit Dutch and Japanese colonial remnants in the province.(27/dja)