S. Sumatra gets US$6m from tourism

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: More than US$6 million in foreign exchange entered into the province of South Sumatra last year through the tourism sector, strengthening the budget of the administration, an official said on Saturday.

M. Jhonson, the head of the South Sumatra Tourism and Culture Office, said that the tourists spent US$108 per day, on average.

He added that 21,273 foreign tourists visited the province last year, and they stayed in the province three days each, on average.

The figure was an increase over 2002, when only some 18,000 foreign tourists visited the province throughout the year.

Jhonson said that the provincial administration was trying to lure more tourists to visit the province by renovating and providing more facilities at tourist attractions.

Those included Sriwijaya Kingdom Archaeological Park and Kuto Besak Fortress in Palembang, Ranau Lake in Ogan Komering Ulu regency and Curug Tenang waterfalls in Muara Enim regency. -- Antara