Tourist arrivals exceed 4m

BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (JP): Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave said yesterday that the number of foreigners visiting Indonesia this year will likely reach 4.01 million, far higher than 3.5 million targeted by the government.

"I have just received a report about the estimation, which projects a growth of 17.8 percent," he said after opening the Dusit Inn.

He said the government will greet the four millionth visitor in Surabaya, East Java, on Dec. 29 or Dec. 30.

He said that the one millionth visitor was greeted in Medan, North Sumatra, the two millionth in Bali and the three millionth in Jakarta.

Indonesia recorded 3.4 million foreign visitors last year, earning US$3.6 billion in foreign exchange.(icn)